Bob, You know you could measure the azimuth to the base of the trunk of tree from a measuring point using a compass or most GPS units. From that same point you could measure the sin bottom and determine the horizontal and vertical distance from the measuring point to the base of the trunk. Then from the same position a series of measurements could be made in a vertical line upward from the base of the trunk to the edge of the tree canopy facing you. Instead of shooting back into the tree to find the farthest point, you would want to measure the leaves sticking out the most toward you. The position of each of these poets on the surface of the canopy could be determined in relation to the base of the trunk. This measurement could be repeated from several points around the tree and a 3D map of the surface of the crown could be created if you had sufficient numbers of measurements. The numbers needed to solve your equation could be calculated from a plot of the canopy surface of the tree.
Ed ----- Original Message ----- From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 6:48 PM Subject: [ENTS] Problem#16 Ed, Larry, Don, et. al, The solution we were searching for is attached (I think). The challenge is to develop a protocal for obtaining the measurements. The protocal will require our collective input. Naturally I have ideas, to share, but this needs to be a community effort. If we can settle on a process, I can automate it in the usual way. Larry, I believe the solution in the attachment addresses your last concern. Bob --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Eastern Native Tree Society http://www.nativetreesociety.org Send email to [email protected] Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees?hl=en To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
