Don, ENTS,
The following formula projects the remaining height of a tree
using a main log and an assumption about overall trunk form. I will
use computer symbols for the mathatical operators.
Let
R1 = radius of lower end of log
R2 = radius of upper end of log
L. = length of log
H. = height of remainder of tree
P = form factor
P = 0.5 for paraboloid
P = 1 for cone
P = 1.5 for neiloid
Then
H = [L * R1^(1/P)] / [R2^(1/P)- R1^(1/P)]
If you apply this formula, you quickly see than assuming a
conical form leads to a greater height than assuming a paraboloid form.
The actual trunk form may change several times, so that this
approach to projecting remaining height probably can't be reliably
used for many conifers - especially older ones. I'll give examples in
another email. Typing on this iPhone is a pain in the #%*.
Bob
Sent from my iPhone
