A merchantable and total height model for tree species in Maine

Jim Westfall; Kenneth M. Laustsen

Treesearch

A merchantable and total height model for tree species in Maine

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Jim Westfall, Kenneth M. Laustsen

Year:

2006

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

Northern Journal of Applied Forestry 23(4):241-249

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Download (PDF 597 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/18485.pdf

Abstract

A model for predicting merchantable and total tree height for 18 species groups in Maine is presented. Only tree-level predictor variables are used, so stand-level attributes, such as age and site quality, are not required. A mixed-effects modeling approach accounts for the correlated within-tree measurements. Data-collection protocols encompass situations in which merchantability to a specified top diameter is not attained due to tree characteristics. The advantage of using the height prediction model over taper-derived estimates of merchantable height is demonstrated.

Keywords

Nonlinear mixed-effects model, tree volume, tree taper, tree biomass

Citation

Westfall, James A.; Laustsen, Kenneth M. 2006. A merchantable and total height model for tree species in Maine. Northern Journal of Applied Forestry 23(4):241-249