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Measurement of Tree Heights

After diameter, the height of a tree is the next most important measurement.

There are several definitions of tree height, depending on intended use:

(see diagrams)

Total height (h): The distance from groundline to the upper extremity of the main stem for
single stemmed, excurrent trees species (most conifers and a few hardwoods), or to the
extremity of the tallest branches for deliquescent tree species (most hardwoods).

Bole height (hb): The distance from groundline to the base of the live crown. The base of
the live crown is defined at the first crown-forming group of live branches. A single, isolated
branch is usually not considered the base of the live crown. This is also called height to live
crown base.

Crown length (lc):Total height minus bole height. The length of the live crown.

Stump height (hs):The distance from groundline to the typical point where the tree will be
cut and felled. In the southern U.S. this generally ranges from 0 to 12".

Merchantable length (lm):The distance from top of the stump to the terminal position of the
economically usable portion of the tree. Merchantable height will depend on the product
(s) being cut from the tree and:

z minimum top diameter of saleable products;

z defect;

z excessive branching;

z what the mills are accepting.

Instruments used to measure tree heights are called

HYPSOMETERS or CLINOMETERS:

Examples: Merritt hypsometer

Suunto clinometer

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There are several scales used on height measuring instruments:

1.

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Slope: dy/dx, where dy = Change in y value, dx = change in x value

= height of tree = distance from tree
1.

The most common slope scale used in hypsometers and clinometers is the Percent of grade--
the rise or fall over a horizontal distance of 100 feet: % grade = dy/100 ft., where dy = change
in height

If you stand 100 feet from a tree, tree height can be read directly from the scale on the
instrument. the % scale on a Suunto Clinometer can be used directly at 100 feet from a tree.

dy or height of tree is 83 feet.

These instruments can be used at distances other than 100 feet, by making a mathematical
adjustment.

Example: You are standing 50 feet from a tree and have a % grade reading on an instrument
of 80%.

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To adjust a reading (% grade or any scale) use the correction formula:

For the example, height = 50 X 120 = 60 feet

100

If distance from tree = 75 feet, then height = 75 X 80 = 60 feet

100

If distance from tree = 200 feet, then height = 200 X 30 = 60 feet

100

2. Topographic arc: The rise or fall (slope) in 66 feet (1 chain) of horizontal distance.
Tree height can be read directly from the instrument scale if the instrument is held 66
feet from the tree.

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If you are standing at some distance other than 66 feet from the tree, the adjustment is the
same as for the percent grade scale:

Tree height = distance from tree X instrument reading

instrument base distance

Tree height = distance from tree X instrument reading

66 feet

Example: Instrument held at 99 feet (1 1/2 chains), instrument reading = 36

(1/66 scale on most clinometers and hypsometers)

Tree height = 99 X 36 = 54 feet

66

You could set up any scale, given a base distance:

For example the Bicentennial SCALE, with a base distance of 76 feet. Tree height
could be read directly from the scale when the instrument is held 76 feet from the
tree.

3. Similar triangles:

This principle is used by the Merritt hypsometer and by the straight-stick

hypsometer (discussed below)

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BE = length of instrument (or intercepted distance on instrument)

all
AB = reach (distance from user's eye to instrument) in the
AC = distance (horizontal) from user's eye to tree same
units
DC = tree height = (BE/AB) * AC

Example: AC = 66 ft; AB = 25 in (2.083 ft); BE = 2.34 ft

Tree height = DC = (2.34/2.083) X 66 ft

= 1.12 X 66 ft = 74 feet

In reality you are seldom in a situation where your eye is level with the base of the tree.

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You have two sets of similar right triangles. The tree height can be read from the instrument
using the two non-right-angle similar triangles: ADF and AEG

DF/AC = EG/AB DF = AC X EG/AB

What if : AB = EG??

If EG or the length of the instrument is exactly equal to the reach, AB you then have:

DF = GE where GE/AB = 1 .
AC AB

Therefore: DF = 1 or DF = AC, that is the height of the tree is equal

AC to the distance the user is standing from the tree.

You can pick up a stick or branch, break or cut it to the length of your reach (eye to
fingertips), step back or forward until the image of the stick completely covers the portion of
the tree of interest (such as total height). The horizontal distance from that point to the tree
(which can be paced or measured) is tree height.

HEIGHT MEASUREMENT SITUATIONS:

(1) Eye level at base of tree:

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(2) Eye level above the base of the tree (very common)

Note: on most instruments, the reading for the measurement of h2 will be NEGATIVE, the
reading is BELOW eye level. Don't be confused about having to add a "negative". Be sure
to keep the diagram above in mind, and use common sense. The "negative" reading to the
base of the tree implies the base is below eye level and the two "parts" of the height must
be added together.

(3) Eye level below the base of the tree

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Leaning trees:

By definition, the total height of a leaning tree is

the vertical distance from groundline at base of
the tree to the tip of the tree, measured at a right
angle to direction of tree lean. Practically, for
volume estimation, the LENGTH of the stem is
what is important.

Note: Leaning trees are seldom bought for

sawtimber (due to stress wood), and are NEVER
bought for utility poles.

The simplest way is to measure HEIGHT (total height, for example) of a leaning tree is to
stand an appropriate distance (instrument base distance) PERPENDICULAR to the lean of
the tree. Take shots at the base of the tree and at top of the tree, as usual. Calculate tree
height.

To calculate actual LENGTH of the tree, stand adjacent to the tree and use your clinometer
to measure percent slope.

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For example, if H = 45 feet, and % slope along the tree trunk = 60%

This technique will work with a clinometer up to a 150% slope (end of scale on instrument).

ALTERNATIVELY, YOU CAN MEASURE D (horizontal distance) DIRECTLY

Measure total height (or any other desired height (H) as described earlier (at right angle to
lean).

Determine the point on the ground that is directly below the tip of the tree (X). Measure
from this point to the base of the tree (equals D).

To find the length of the tree (L), use the Pythagorean theorem,

ESTIMATION OF NUMBER OF MERCHANTABLE LOGS

Merchantable logs in standing trees are commonly measured in the southern U.S. as 16.3-
foot lengths. This has come about because of the somewhat "standardized" lumber lengths
of 8 ft and 16 ft in many buildings (although you can cut logs and buy lumber in a variety of

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lengths, in 2-foot intervals). This standardization of log length avoids confusion and allows
direct comparison among different people estimating volume from a tree or stand of trees.

Therefore, you must calibrate your eye to estimate where breaks for 16-foot logs (and 1/2
logs) along the tree trunk. For a tree to be counted a sawtimber it must usually have at
least one full 16.3-foot log. Estimates are then made at log intervals above the first log.
The Merritt Hypsometer is an instrument, based on similar triangles, which will measure the
number of logs in a tree, given you have chosen the top position of the last merchantable
log.

When estimating or measuring the number of logs in a tree, there are several things to
remember:

1. The top limit, where a merchantable log can be cut may be determined by one of
several factors:

Minimum top diameter -- based on the specifications from the mills to which you are
selling the logs (local markets) there will be a minimum diameter (usually inside bark)
at the top of any log. The top log of a tree that has more than one log is, of course,
the smallest log and the top of that log must meet mill specifications. These mill
specifications can change with new technology and may even change during wet and
dry periods of the year!

Defect or deformity before reaching minimum top diameter -- there may be some
condition, such as too many limbs (resulting in too many knots in the lumber), a
sharp crook in the tree, a disease canker or rotten spot, or a fork that will prevent a
log from being cut to the specified minimum top diameter. That is, there is enough
size above the defect to make a log, but the defect takes precedence over the size.

2. For a log (or log) to be counted, it must be full length. That is, if a tree almost has
3 logs in it, but not quite (3 X 16.3 ft or 48.9 ft plus 1 foot for a stump = 49.9 feet) then
the call for that tree is only 2 logs. In other words you do not typically round up to
the next highest log or log.

3. If there is a deformity in the middle of a tree, but full-length logs can be cut either
side of the defect, the number of logs may be cumulated.

4. If you have a tree that forks close to the ground, treat each fork as a separate tree
and call DBH and number of logs separately.

5. Some amount of gentle sweep is usually allowed in logs, but typically not crooks or
stressed wood (leaning trees).

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