American Forests Champion Trees

Measuring Guidelines handbook

acknowledgments The Measuring Guidelines Working Group

Bob Leverett

Don Bertolette

American Forests offers deep gratitude and appreciation for the exceptional efforts of two extraordinary tree experts — Bob Leverett and Don Bertolette — who authored and illustrated this handbook for the benefit of Champion Tree measurers everywhere. Additionally, we thank the other members of Measuring Guidelines Working Group (MGWG): Donna Baldwin, Don Bragg, Phil Radke and Pete Smith. The MGWG was initially coordinated by Sheri Shannon (2012-2014), and subsequently by Bryant Smith (2014-2015).

Our Partners

American Forests also would like to thank The Davey Tree Expert Company for their premier sponsorship of the National Champion Tree Program over the past 25 years.

table of contents Introduction Hidden Complexities of Measurement.............................................................................................................................................. 6 Equipment Needed...................................................................................................................................................................................7 Notes...............................................................................................................................................................................................................7

Circumference Introduction to Circumference............................................................................................................................................................ 8 Basic Circumference................................................................................................................................................................................ 8 Measurement Guidelines for Multi-trunk Trees.............................................................................................................................. 9 Standard Circumference Measurement for Trees on Sloping Ground.................................................................................. 9 Mid-slope Rule........................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 When to Abandon the Mid-slope...................................................................................................................................................... 12 Is It One Tree or More? — The Pith Test........................................................................................................................................... 13 Circumference Measurements from Diameters............................................................................................................................ 15 Caliper Method.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Diameter Using Monocular-Reticle Method...................................................................................................................................16 Diameter Using Azimuth Method...................................................................................................................................................... 17 Diameter Using Photographic Method............................................................................................................................................19 Summary to Circumference................................................................................................................................................................ 23

Height Introduction to Height............................................................................................................