Measuring tree heights

[Paul Barton]

Hi guys,

 

I need to be able to accurately calculate tree heights for my Tech Cert exams and hopefully for reports after that! Don't fancy buying a clinometer for £100 or so as I am sure there are cheaper ways of measuring height.

 

I remember in the past being shown various methods including holding sticks at arms length etc but can't remember them in detail.

 

Those of you that do this - what is your recommended method?

 

cheers,

 

Paul

[Log-ologist]

get a set square with a 90 and 2 x 45 degree angles, sight along it so the base is at eye level and the top edge is at the top of the tree, walk backwards till all is alligned , your distance from the tree is equal to the height plus the height from ground level to your eye.

 

or straight fell it and measure it.

 

 

I use a % scale clinometer which I find to be the most flexible method.

[b101uk]

when the tree height fits in exactly 3 hand spans at full extended arms length from the tree base/ground to the tip of the highest twig at the tree top the point you are standing at on level ground will be the same distance from you to the tree as the tree is high, for me the error in this method is <6" on a 100ft tree, so I always know exactly were to top of the tree will reach when felled.

 

The same method can be used for cliffs, buildings etc, etc for working out height.

 

It always seams to surprise people as the top most twig lands by my marker/range stick

[Dean Lofthouse]

I use a laser distance measure which I bought for the Mewp.

 

I stand under the tree and aim up to the highest measurable point, I then estimate the bit on top I couldn't measure and add it on, turned out to be extremely accurate.

 

Have found walking backwards away from the tree and stopping when you guestimate and angle of 45 degrees between your feet and the tip of the tree is fairly accurate.

 

I find instead of sticking a stick in the ground to say where the tree tip will land, place your lunch box, then if you get it wrong, the punishment is squashed sarnies.

[Arbocop]

the old stick trick is very similar to the 90/45/45 set square described above. the best description of it is in the front of alan mitchells tree planting and management book, but stand square with shoulders level with feet and hod up a clenched hand, cut a twig to the length from your eye to you clenched hand.

 

then you simply hold the twig in yout hand in the same positon as above and walk back and forth from the tree untill you have top of tree at top of twig and bottom of tree at bottom of twig.

 

then you are at the same distance from the tree as its height, plus hight to your eye.

 

or follow the link for what school kids use and is perfectly ok

 

http://www.atozsupplies.co.uk/productInfo.aspx?catRef=263295

 

cheers

 

arbocop

[Paul Barton]

Cool, thanks alot.

 

Like the clinometer in your link Arbocop - now that's a sensible price!

[Bundle 2]

No... you want to bend down, peer at the top of the tree between your legs. When you can just see the top of the tree between your bollox, you are the same distance from the tree as it is high...hi....>>>

[RPA]

the old stick trick is very similar to the 90/45/45 set square described above. the best description of it is in the front of alan mitchells tree planting and management book, but stand square with shoulders level with feet and hod up a clenched hand, cut a twig to the length from your eye to you clenched hand.

 

then you simply hold the twig in yout hand in the same positon as above and walk back and forth from the tree untill you have top of tree at top of twig and bottom of tree at bottom of twig.

 

then you are at the same distance from the tree as its height, plus hight to your eye.

 

arbocop

 

Thats the way I was shown and works well for me considering the financial outlay :wave:

 

Use it a lot when topping down to see where to get to before I can safely fell the rest.

[Log-ologist]

climb to the top and lower a bit of string from the tip to the ground . measure the length of string with a ruler.

[Dean Lofthouse]

climb to the top and lower a bit of string from the tip to the ground . measure the length of string with a ruler.

 

Too much like hard work.

 

Just fell the tree and measure it on the ground:icon14: