Forest Mensuration 17 



SECTION II. VOLUME OF STANDING TREES. 

 PARAGRAPH XXVI. 



METHODS OF OBTAINING THE VOLUME OF STANDING TREES. 



The volume of standing trees may be ascertained 



By estimating it (Par. XXVII.) ; 



By measuring heights and diameters (Par. XXVIII.) ; 

 By the form factor method, which combines estimates and meas- 

 urements (Par. XXIX. f.f.). 



By these means can be obtained the volume of the bole (from roots to 

 top bud), or the volume of saw timber in any of the 43 log scales, or 

 the volume of firewood in cords, etc., or the total volume, including brush 

 and roots. 



Under "used volume," Circular 445 of the United States Bureau of For- 

 estry understands the sum of the volumes of logs cut from a tree; under 

 "merchantable volume" the total volume of that portion of the tree which 

 is merchantable under certain conditions. 



PARAGRAPH XXVII. 



HELPS AND HINTS TO FIND THE VOLUME OF STANDING TREES. 



It is difficult to estimate the cubic contents, wood contents or lumber 

 contents of a standing tree. In the case of estimates in board feet, the 

 result depends on the exclusion or inclusion of crooked and defective 

 pieces, on the taper of the bole, on the soundness of the heart, and on 

 the minimum diameter admissible in the top log. Compare end of Par- 

 agraph XXXII. 



Most hazardous is the volume estimate of over-aged trees, especially 

 in the case of hardwoods (chestnut). 



The following helps might guide the novice : 



1. The volume of a sound tree bole, in cubic meters, is equal to 



-J-n. 



1000 

 for example, diameter (breast high) 30 c. m. ; contents 0.9 cubic meters. 



2. The contents of a standing tree, in cubic feet, are about 



If 



for example, diameter (breast high), 25 inches; contents (from butt to 

 tip), 125 cubic feet. ^ 



3. The number of feet Doyle in a tall sound tree equal 



