Form Class and Its Use in Estimating Sawtimber Volume of Sugar Maple Trees

Authors: Nyland, Ralph D.; Kiernan, Diane

Source: Northern Journal of Applied Forestry, Volume 27, Number 2, June 2010 , pp. 75-77(3)

Publisher: Society of American Foresters

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Abstract:

The Mesavage-Girard form class for a composite of 242 sugar maple sawtimber trees in New York averaged 82 (±5.3), differing significantly from the regional average form class of 79 originally recommended in the Mesavage-Girard form class volume tables. Also, for 8 of 16 stands, the measured form class differed significantly from the recommended regional average. Findings suggest a need to estimate form class for each tree when making an inventory of sawtimber volume. A regression analysis using data from the 242 sample trees provided a prediction equation for estimating diameter inside bark at 17 ft height on the basis of dbh. That allows determination of a unique Mesavage-Girard form class for each diameter class of sugar maple trees and use of that diameter class average when computing the board-foot volume of standing trees.

Keywords: form class; sugar maple; sawtimber volume

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2010-06-01

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