Determining Site Index and Estimating Timber Volumes Without Measuring Heights

Publisher： Society of American Foresters

ISSN： 0148-4419

Source： Southern Journal of Applied Forestry, Vol.18, Iss.1, 1994-02, pp. : 15-18

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Abstract

We present a time-saving method for predicting average dominant height, and thus site index, and predicting yield of a slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) plantation without measuring any tree heights. We identify a segment in the upper end of the diameter distribution where the average height of all trees is equal to average dominant height. The arithmetic mean diameter of these trees, called dominant height diameter (DHD), is used in a regression to predict average dominant height. With individual tree height prediction equations that use average dominant height and tree volume or weight equations that use tree height and dbh, plot volumes or weights can then be predicted. For 922 plots in slash pine plantations, total-stem volume per acre was predicted with an R² of 0.978 with this method. South. J. Appl. For. 18(1):15-18.