Some measurements of tree size

Abstract

Estimates of the volume and surface area of citrus and peach trees were made from five lateral measurements of the tree profile on each of eight radials. These estimates were made from the field measurements with the aid of a computer. The computer programme took either the actual shape as measured, or assumed that the shape approximated simple geometric forms. These calculations were also made with several groupings of two or four of the radials to see how few observations could yield a significant evaluation of tree volume or surface area. Tree height, yield, and butt circumference were also measured. Using a further computer programme a linear regression analysis was carried out by which the various approximations of the actual volume or area were evaluated. The most efficient technique of measuring tree area or volume was to measure the tree profile on two or four radials and make the calculation without the use of an approximating form. As a single simple measure of tree size, height was in some cases superior to butt circumference. Yield was found to be not closely correlated with tree size.