James- In that the formula that AF goes by reduces the influence of spread by one-quarter, it is an easy dimension to defer.
Odd that, methinks, as one of the most striking things for me about a tree, specifically the hardwood/deciduous trees, is the size of their crown. To be certain, that 'size' involves height. But the spread of an old oak can be more impressive (again, to me) than the height. If you're interested in obtaining more accurate spread readings (in the name of ENTS accuracy), check out one way of obtaining a more accurate vertical read on spread at: http://www.grsgis.com/densitometer/index.htm There are other ways to obtain this, indeed using the clinometer to get a vertical (90 degree) would work too, with some constraints. -Don > From: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: RE: [ENTS] Rucker Spread Index? > Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 13:43:20 -0500 > > James, > > Good question, but one I don't have a good answer for. Spread measurements > are a tedious formality to me, and I would not be interested in searching > out the widest or average spread on a site just to have it. I am not sure > they would be meaningful data and are notoriously prone to error due to > subjectivity. > > Will F. Blozan > President, Eastern Native Tree Society > President, Appalachian Arborists, Inc. > > "No sympathy for apathy" > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On > Behalf Of James Parton > Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2010 2:07 PM > To: ENTSTrees > Subject: [ENTS] Rucker Spread Index? > > Bob, Will, Ed. > > ENTS uses Rucker Height Index and sometimes Rucker Girth Index to > acertain a forest. Has anyone ever thought of a Rucker Spread Index? > Would it be of any real use? I thought of that at Congaree since we > did average spreads on quite a few trees. > > James P. > _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390710/direct/01/
