For most pine species in the eastern United States, merchantable heights can be measured at log lengths (16 ft) and half-log lengths (8 ft) valuable hardwood species, when used as sawtimber, can be cut to log lengths of 10, 12, 14, 16, or 18 feet.
Total height is measured to the top of the tree, but merchantable height is often a more informative measurement for determining the available usable wood in a tree. Total height or merchantable height can be measured when cruising. Height is the second essential element for estimating tree volume. Ratios between outside and inside bark diameters at DBH are often determined and applied to outside bark diameter readings taken from points along the upper portions of the stem.
To subtract the area occupied by the bark, the bark thickness is measured and subtracted from the diameter outside the bark. The stem diameter at the small end of the first log (16 feet in the eastern United States) is often critical for determining the rate of taper in the stem and is used in many of the traditional log rules to generate volume estimates.īecause tree bark can be quite thick on some species, diameters inside the bark are used in many estimations of volume and often require the determination of the tree bark's contribution to diameter. Therefore, upper diameters along the stem are also important components of volume equations. However, most tree stems taper as you move higher in the tree. If the bole or stem of a tree were shaped like a true cylinder, the calculation of volume in the stem would be simple. DBH can also be measured using calipers or Biltmore sticks. The following video shows techniques for using a D-tape. The converted diameter readings are printed on the D-tape for quick and efficient field work. DBH is commonly measured with a diameter tape (D-tape), which is designed to allow users to measure circumference at 4.5 feet (1.3 meters) and convert to a measurement of diameter (diameter = circumference/pi ). DBH is defined as average outside bark diameter when measured on the uphill side of a tree at 4.5 feet (Avery and Burkhart 2002). Tree Measurements Diameter MeasurementsĪmongst forest measurements, the most common and easily obtained tree measurement is diameter at breast height (DBH). This paper outlines the process of timber cruising from initial tree-level measurements to the final total stand-level estimates and various methods for conducting the cruise. Commonly referred to as timber cruising, this exercise begins with planning and determining the sample allocation and type of plots, followed by basic measurement and analysis of a single tree for an estimate of stem volume. The process of determining timber inventory typically involves sampling a portion of the forest and expanding these samples to calculate stand-level estimates.
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Foresters approximate the amount of lumber or fiber within a stand to inform their clients on how to manage their assets and maximize revenue. John Dooner and Michael Andreu 2 IntroductionĪn integral part of any forest management program and long-term economic plan is an estimation of the current volume and value of a timber stand.
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