Stem Diameter

  • Philip W. West

Abstract

The simplest, most common and, arguably, the most important thing measured on trees in forestry is the diameter of their stems. Amongst other things, tree stem diameter:
  • Often correlates closely with other things on trees, which are more difficult to measure, like the weight (or biomass, as it is called) of the tree,

  • May reflect the competitive position of a tree in a stand and, hence, how well it is likely to grow in relation to the other trees,

  • Through the frequency distribution of diameters in the stand, may define different forest types and what management practices might be appropriate for them, and

  • May reflect the value of the tree, given that logs of larger sizes are usually commercially more valuable.

Keywords

Forest Type Breast Height Stem Diameter Prevailing Wind Direction Bark Thickness 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2004

Authors and Affiliations

  • Philip W. West
    • 1
    • 2
  1. 1.School of Environmental Science and ManagementSouthern Cross UniversityLismoreAustralia
  2. 2.SciWest ConsultingMeerschaum ValeAustralia

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