Estimating Board Feet of Standing Timber

Estimating Board Feet of a Tree

1.  Find the diameter of the tree approximately 4.5 feet above the ground.  (Measure the circumference and convert to diameter)

4.5 feet above the ground (my armpit)

2.  Find the tree height.  Stand 66 feet from the base of the tree.  Use a clinometer (on download one to your phone or tab)  to determine the percent of incline from your viewpoint to the top of the usable tree ( first major fork of limbs).  To do this use the clinometer while standing normally sight the clinometer at the top of the usable portion of the trunk, take a percent reading, this will be your A(+) reading.  Then sight to the bottom of the trunk, this will be your B(-) reading.  To find the tree height:  [A(+) -B(-)] *66'

Sight to usable top of tree (first fork)

Then sight to the bottom of tree and take another reading.

3.  Find the tree volume.  (Before beginning the calculations, change all measurements to feet.)  Use the formula for volume of a cylinder, but divide the result by 4 to account for the taper of the tree.

4.  Convert cubic feet to board feet.  (  There are 12 board feet in each cubic foot of lumber.)

Note:  attach estimating board feet spreadsheet.