Determining the Diameter of a Tree

As in measuring tree height, the other side of the cruiser stick used as a Merritt Hypsometer can be used to measure diameters. You can make your own diameter or Biltmore stick by following these instructions. You must find your length-of-arm class as you did in making the Hypsometer-by measuring the distance in inches form you eye to your index finger with your arm fully extended. With this measurement determined, measure from the left end of the stick the distances given in the table below. Label each mark with the diameter that is indicated. For example, if your arm length is 25 inches, the table indicated that you would measure 5.37 inches from the left end of the stick and mark it 6, then measure 7 inches and mark it 8, and so on. Divide the space between the successive numbers with a long line. This will give the odd-numbered diameters.

Diameter of tree- inches

Interval to be marked on stick

23" arm reach

25" arm reach

3

2.82

2.83

5

4.53

4.56

6

5.34

5.39

7

6.13

6.19

8

6.81

6.96

9

7.63

7.72

10

8.35

8.45

11

9.05

9.17

12

9.73

9.86

13

10.39

10.54

14

11.03

11.21

15

11.67

11.86

16

12.29

12.50

17

12.89

13.12

18

13.49

13.73

19

14.06

14.32

20

14.63

14.91

21

15.18

15.48

22

15.72

16.05

23

16.26

16.60

24

16.79

17.14

25

17.31

17.68

26

17.81

18.20

27

18.31

18.72

28

18.80

19.23

29

19.29

19.73

30

19.76

20.22

 

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