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A Comparison of Height-Accumulation and Volume-Equation Methods for Estimating Tree and Stand Volumes

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Estimating tree and stand volume in mature plantations is time consuming, involving much manpower and equipment; however, several sampling and volume-prediction techniques are available. This study showed that a well-constructed, volume-equation method yields estimates comparable to those of the often more time-consuming, height-accumulation method, even though the latter should be more accurate for any individual tree. Plot volumes were estimated by both methods in a remeasurement of trees in a 40-plot,planted slash pine thinning study. The mean percent age difference in total volume, inside bark, between the two methods ranged from 1 to 2.5 percent across all the plots; differences outside bark ranged from 7 to 10 percent. The results were similar when the effects of site, plot mean values, or tree-by-tree comparisons were incorporated.

Keywords

Growth and yield, finus elliotfii, plantation management

Citation

Ferguson, R.B.; Baldwin, V. Clark, Jr. 1995. A Comparison of Height-Accumulation and Volume-Equation Methods for Estimating Tree and Stand Volumes. Res. Note SO-378. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 7 p.
Citations
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/662