Variations in diameter measurements of Robusta Eucalyptus due to swelling and shrinking of bark

Abstract

Trunk diameters of Eucalyptus robusta trees shrink and swell as bark moisture content changes. Diameter variations from this cause as measured on six trees with a dial-gage dendrometer were less than 1 percent of trunk diameter. To compare this variation with the variation in d.b.h. measurements that can result from personal techiques of using a standard diameter tape, seven foresters each independently measured the same 40 robusta trees on the same day. Variations in diameters at breast height from personal measurement techiques exceeded d.b.h. variation due to changing bark moisture content.

Citation

Burgan, Robert E. 1971. Variations in diameter measurements of Robusta Eucalyptus due to swelling and shrinking of bark. Research Note PSW-RN-244. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 4 p