Estimating cubic volume of small diameter tree-length logs from ponderosa and lodgepole pine.

Marlin E. Plank; James M. Cahill

doi:10.2737/PNW-RN-417

Treesearch

Estimating cubic volume of small diameter tree-length logs from ponderosa and lodgepole pine.

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Marlin E. Plank, James M. Cahill

Year:

1984

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/PNW-RN-417

Source:

Res. Note PNW-RN-417. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 8 p

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Download (PDF 397 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/26791.pdf

Abstract

A sample of 351 ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) and 509 lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.) logs were used to evaluate the performance of three commonly used formulas for estimating cubic volume. Smalian's formula, Bruce's formula, and Huber's formula were tested to determine which would provide the best estimate of cubic volume when it was applied to tree-length logs. Smalian's formula overestimated the volume by 19 percent, Bruce's formula underestimated by 16 percent, and Huber's formula underestimated by 2 percent. Huber's formula provided the closest estimate and is recommended. Accuracy and bias tests are shown.

Keywords

cubic volume, log volume, Smalian's formula, Huber's formula, Bruce's formula, scaling

Citation

Plank, Marlin E.; Cahill, James M. 1984. Estimating cubic volume of small diameter tree-length logs from ponderosa and lodgepole pine. Res. Note PNW-RN-417. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 8 p