Professional tree measurement tools can be costly, but the OSU Woodland Stick offers an affordable, simple and user-friendly alternative. Created by the Oregon State University Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Program, this tool is based on the traditional Biltmore Stick, which uses trigonometry to estimate tree height, diameter and volume.
The study reinforces the educational value of the OSU Woodland Stick, which allows users to obtain rough estimates of tree sizes and wood volume.
Designed for small forest landowners, the OSU Woodland Stick allows users to obtain rough estimates of tree sizes and wood volume, helping them make informed decisions about forest management and future planning.
A new study looked at how accurate the OSU Woodland Stick is for measuring tree height and diameter when used by someone who doesn’t measure trees professionally, compared to tools used by forestry professionals.
The researchers found that non-professionals using the stick had some differences in their measurements, with tree diameters being off by about half an inch and heights by about five feet. These differences can affect the estimated wood volume of a tree.
The study took place in OSU’s McDonald-Dunn Research Forest. Professional foresters measured 71 trees for diameter and 51 trees for height. Five non-professionals with varying levels of experience then measured the same trees using the OSU Woodland Stick. The results were compared to see how accurate the stick was, using the professional measurements as the standard values.
On average, non-professionals measured tree diameters to be about half an inch larger than the professionals did. The differences ranged from slightly smaller to about an inch and a half larger. Two of the non-professionals had measurements that were very close to the professionals’.
Non-professionals measured tree heights to be about five feet taller on average. The differences ranged from about five to 12 feet. All non-professionals had statistically significant differences from the professional measurements.
The differences in measurements could lead to wood volume estimates being off by up to 30 board feet per tree. The OSU Woodland Stick is good for planning and educational means, but not precise enough for selling timber.
The authors of the study concluded:
- The OSU Woodland Stick is fairly accurate for measuring tree diameters, especially for smaller trees.
- The stick is less accurate for measuring tree heights, with more variation in the results.
- The stick is useful for learning and planning but should not replace professional tools for commercial purposes.
- Future studies should look at how well the stick works in different types of forests and suggest ways to improve height measurements.
The study reinforces the educational value of the OSU Woodland Stick, making it a useful tool for learning about forestry measurements and management practices. By highlighting the stick's effectiveness for certain measurements, the study shows how landowners can save money by using this affordable tool for basic assessments.
