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Abstract
A large proportion of present-day timber cruising is done by measuring or estimating three tree dimensions: diameter at breast height, form class, and merchantable height. Tree volumes are then determined from tables which equate volume to the varying combinations of height, d.b.h., and form class. Assumptions concerning merchantable height were made in constructing the volume tables, and although these assumptions were probably correct at the time the tables were developed, they may now be in error. Standards of utilization change, and the merchantable height of the past may not be the merchantable height of today. Since Bruce and Girard's board-foot volume tables11 are most frequently used in determining cruise volumes in the Pacific Northwest, current merchantable heights have been compared with those used in their tables.
Citation
Minore, Don; Gedney, Donald R. 1960. Merchantable height of trees in Oregon—a comparison of current logging practice and volume table specifications. PNW Old Series Research Notes No. 184, p. 1-5
