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    Florida 4-H Forest Ecology

    Florida 4-H Forest Ecology

    4-H youth learn about nature during a talk at a walking trail

    Tree Measurement

    Seniors will measure 4 standing trees and fill out the table on their scoresheet. For each tree, seniors will identify the species and estimate the diameter and merchantable height. Diameter should be measured and recorded in even 2-inch diameter classes. Height should be measured in 16-foot logs to the nearest full half-log. Merchantable height should be measured from stump height to either an 8-inch top diameter, a major fork, or a serious defect that affects more than half the tree's diameter at that point.

    In addition, Seniors will determine the total volume in the plot and the volume per acre. Ten points will be allowed for the correct volume per acre. The plot acreage and tree volumes can be found in the table below. Remember, the total volume in the plot must be multiplied by a factor (20 for a 1/20-acre plot, 10 for a 1/10- acre plot, 5 for a 1/5-acre plot and 4 for a 1/4-acre plot) to determine the volume per acre. Point allocation will be 10 points for ±5% of the official volume, 8 points for ±10%, 6 points for ±15%, and no points over ±15%.

    Tree volumes can be found on the table below, which will be provided on the contest scoresheet.

    Volume Table

    International ¼ inch Log Rule -- Form Class 78

    VOLUME (board feet) BY NUMBER OF 16-FOOT LOGS

     

    Height (number of 16-foot logs)

    DBH

    1

    1½

    2

    2½

    3

    3½

    4

    4½

    5

    10

    36

    48

    59

    66

    73

    -----

    -----

    -----

    -----

    12

    56

    74

    92

    106

    120

    128

    137

    -----

    -----

    14

    78

    105

    132

    153

    174

    187

    200

    -----

    -----

    16

    106

    143

    180

    210

    241

    263

    285

    -----

    -----

    18

    136

    184

    233

    274

    314

    344

    374

    -----

    -----

    20

    171

    234

    296

    348

    401

    440

    480

    511

    542

    22

    211

    290

    368

    434

    500

    552

    603

    647

    691

    24

    251

    346

    441

    523

    605

    664

    723

    782

    840

    26

    299

    414

    528

    626

    725

    801

    877

    949

    1,021

    28

    347

    482

    616

    733

    850

    938

    1,027

    1,114

    1,201

    30

    403

    560

    718

    854

    991

    1,094

    1,198

    1,306

    1,415

    32

    462

    644

    826

    988

    1,149

    1,274

    1,400

    1,518

    1,637

    34

    521

    728

    934

    1,119

    1,304

    1,447

    1,590

    1,727

    1,864

    36

    589

    826

    1,063

    1,274

    1,485

    1,650

    1,814

    1,974

    2,135

    38

    656

    921

    1,186

    1,428

    1,670

    1,854

    2,038

    2,224

    2,410

    40

    731

    1,030

    1,329

    1,598

    1,868

    2,081

    2,294

    2,494

    2,693


    Scoring

    A total of 30 points are available for this station:

    • 20 total points for tree scores: 
      • One point for each correct tree identification
      • Two points for each correct DBH
      • Two points for each correct tree height
    • 10 points possible for volume per acre: Point allocation will be 10 points for ±5% of the official volume, 8 points for ±10%, 6 points for ±15%, and no points over ±15%.

    You will need a Biltmore stick that fits your arm length. You can make your own Biltmore stick by purchasing a yard stick or a blank stick or strip of wood, and taping a scale to your stick.

    Resources

    • 2023 Tree Measurement Scoresheet
    • Tree Measurement (PDF, pages 14-18 of the 2014 Invitational Handbook)
    • Tree Measurements Using a Biltmore Stick (PDF, University of Kentucky)
    • Biltmore Stick Instruction Video (Video by Paul Decker, University of Florida)
    • Directions for Scale Stick Measurement (on the 4-H Forestry Invitational site)
    • Scale Stick Directions (on the 4-H Forestry Invitational site)

     

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    Florida 4-H Forest Ecology
    P.O. Box 110410 Gainesville, FL 32611-0410
    (352) 846-0547

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