measuring height of trees

s.kerrone · 27th April 2008, 08:22 PM

I was just wondering how you guys measure the height of the tree (before its fell)???

Ekka · 27th April 2008, 10:31 PM

I use the stick trick, and guess work, had a clinometer and discovered it broke a few days ago.

newguy18 · 28th April 2008, 04:43 AM

Apretty good way of guessing is get away from the trunk at a 45 degree angle and you will be away for the tree as far as it is tall.

RandyMac · 28th April 2008, 04:56 AM

I had knots in my plumb line, to measure off every 20' of standing tree, I calibrated it against a 20 story building, that I knew was 225' high. It was good enough, for what I did with it, + - 10'. The trick was keeping the distances between you and the tree consistant. I didn't use so much for guessing height, mostly to predict where the break was going to be and set up for bucking.

Quantum Leaf · 28th April 2008, 05:52 AM

I've been using a 'Haglof' clinometer for the past few years, really simple to use, quick and accurate. Also useful for measuring angles (stem bias, etc.) The beauty of it is that it dosn't seem to matter how far you are away from a tree for taking height data. The only negative attribute is the price and fear of losing it (its not very big) and because of the colour difficult to see on some ground. The newer models are orange- far better!

quercus · 28th April 2008, 08:40 AM

Yup I do it all the time... Even when it's not necessary. I use simple triangulation with a wooden triangle with two equal sides. I have a clinometer though, but it doesn't leave the van very often.

vl2007 · 28th April 2008, 11:44 AM

I use a geometric primciple of right triangles. The stick trick! hold the stick so that the distance from your eye to your hand equals the distance from your hand to the top of the stick. Arm should be horizonal, and stick vertical. Now walk forward or back to line up your hand to the hinge, and the top of the stick to the top of tree. Where you stand is where the top of the tree will fall. I've used it many times, and it never fails.

arborjockey · 28th April 2008, 04:54 PM

I use a speed square and a level. When the levels set, look up the 45 degree angle on the square to the top of the tree and BAM! 1' on!! check it.out

All day long This is a 38 foot stick of oak. He got $325.00 per 10 foot. For you other guys around the world its about 4 Euro's for the hole thing.

hoot gibson · 28th April 2008, 05:23 PM

i dont measure many trees , but when i need to measure something high , i point my finger at it and keep my elbow even with my eyes while pointing up , when my finger is on the top or where i want to measure the highth. i just step it off to the base . kinda like the 45 deg. thing.

s.kerrone · 28th April 2008, 08:20 PM

thanks for all the advice!! I will be trying them and using the one that works good for me

something going wrong with my internet sometimes,and I just got this thread (after I posted the same question again) sorry!!!

treestyle · 30th April 2008, 03:07 AM

hi mate,

seen this forestry tool once. dont know what they call it.

what you do is attatch a reflector on the trunk at approx 1-2m then you look through a sight and shoot the reflector with a read dot, standing in the same spot you then look through the sight again and shoot the top of tree with the red dot, then you read the height on the digital display on the side of the device. that forestrytools.com or something like would have them. think though that they may want a couply dollars for it.

the stick trick works well.

hoot gibson · 30th April 2008, 05:51 PM

did i miss it , sometimes i do not pay attention well , thats what my mother said , whats the stick trick?

h

newguy18 · 30th April 2008, 08:11 PM

this is the stick trick.
The stick trick for measuring tree height & fall

27th April 2008, 08:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
s.kerrone Gettin' motoring Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: duncan b.c. Posts: 16	measuring height of trees I was just wondering how you guys measure the height of the tree (before its fell)???

27th April 2008, 10:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 5,664	Re: measuring height of trees I use the stick trick, and guess work, had a clinometer and discovered it broke a few days ago. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

28th April 2008, 04:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
newguy18 Tree World Icon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,185	Re: measuring height of trees Apretty good way of guessing is get away from the trunk at a 45 degree angle and you will be away for the tree as far as it is tall. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

28th April 2008, 04:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
RandyMac Cruisin' Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NW California Posts: 68	Re: measuring height of trees I had knots in my plumb line, to measure off every 20' of standing tree, I calibrated it against a 20 story building, that I knew was 225' high. It was good enough, for what I did with it, + - 10'. The trick was keeping the distances between you and the tree consistant. I didn't use so much for guessing height, mostly to predict where the break was going to be and set up for bucking. __________________ RandyMac

28th April 2008, 05:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
Quantum Leaf Gettin' motoring Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Illawarra, NSW Posts: 13	Re: measuring height of trees I've been using a 'Haglof' clinometer for the past few years, really simple to use, quick and accurate. Also useful for measuring angles (stem bias, etc.) The beauty of it is that it dosn't seem to matter how far you are away from a tree for taking height data. The only negative attribute is the price and fear of losing it (its not very big) and because of the colour difficult to see on some ground. The newer models are orange- far better!

28th April 2008, 08:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
quercus Afterburner is shakin' Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: belgium Posts: 414	Re: measuring height of trees Yup I do it all the time... Even when it's not necessary. I use simple triangulation with a wooden triangle with two equal sides. I have a clinometer though, but it doesn't leave the van very often.

28th April 2008, 11:44 AM	#7 (permalink)
vl2007 Cruisin' Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Florida Keys Posts: 84	Re: measuring height of trees I use a geometric primciple of right triangles. The stick trick! hold the stick so that the distance from your eye to your hand equals the distance from your hand to the top of the stick. Arm should be horizonal, and stick vertical. Now walk forward or back to line up your hand to the hinge, and the top of the stick to the top of tree. Where you stand is where the top of the tree will fall. I've used it many times, and it never fails.

28th April 2008, 05:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
hoot gibson Cruisin' Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: central ohio Posts: 63	Re: measuring height of trees i dont measure many trees , but when i need to measure something high , i point my finger at it and keep my elbow even with my eyes while pointing up , when my finger is on the top or where i want to measure the highth. i just step it off to the base . kinda like the 45 deg. thing. __________________ i had a friend one, but he died .

28th April 2008, 08:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
s.kerrone Gettin' motoring Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: duncan b.c. Posts: 16	Re: measuring height of trees thanks for all the advice!! I will be trying them and using the one that works good for me something going wrong with my internet sometimes,and I just got this thread (after I posted the same question again) sorry!!!

30th April 2008, 03:07 AM	#11 (permalink)
treestyle Fly'n Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Brisbane Posts: 119	Re: measuring height of trees hi mate, seen this forestry tool once. dont know what they call it. what you do is attatch a reflector on the trunk at approx 1-2m then you look through a sight and shoot the reflector with a read dot, standing in the same spot you then look through the sight again and shoot the top of tree with the red dot, then you read the height on the digital display on the side of the device. that forestrytools.com or something like would have them. think though that they may want a couply dollars for it. the stick trick works well.

30th April 2008, 05:51 PM	#12 (permalink)
hoot gibson Cruisin' Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: central ohio Posts: 63	Re: measuring height of trees did i miss it , sometimes i do not pay attention well , thats what my mother said , whats the stick trick? h __________________ i had a friend one, but he died .

30th April 2008, 08:11 PM	#13 (permalink)
newguy18 Tree World Icon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,185	Re: measuring height of trees this is the stick trick. The stick trick for measuring tree height & fall __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

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