The Tree Basal Area from Diameter calculator computes the basal area for a tree based on the tree's diameter at breast height.
INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:
- (DBH) Tree Diameter at Breast Height (~4'6" from the ground)
Tree Basal Area from Diameter (BA): The basal area is returned in square feet (ft2). However, this can be automatically converted to compatible units via the pull-down menu.
The Math / Science
The basal area of a tree is a measure of the cross-sectional area of a tree trunk at breast height (typically 1.3 meters or 4.5 feet above the ground). It is commonly used in forestry to estimate the density of trees in a given area, assess forest stand structure, and calculate timber volume.
The basal area is calculated using the formula for the area of a circle:
A = π ⋅ DBH2/4
where:
- A = Basal Area of a tree at breast height
- DBH = Diameter of a tree at breast height (DBH).
Unit Conversion
Basal area is often expressed in square feet per acre (ft2/ac) and square meters per hectare (m²/ha) when assessing forest stands.
Importance in Forestry:
Basal area is used to estimate the volume of timber that can be harvested. Basal area helps in assessing the health and productivity of a forest stand. It is used in forest management practices to determine thinning and other treatments. By summing the basal areas of individual trees in a sample plot, foresters can estimate the total basal area per hectare, which is an important indicator of forest density and stand structure.
Forestry Calculators
- Tree Basal Area from Diameter: Computes the basal area of a tree based on the measurement of the tree's diameter at breast height.
- Tree Basal Area from Circumference: Computes the basal area of a tree based on the measurement of the tree's circumference at breast height.
- Basal Area per Acre:
Computes the basal average per acre (ft2/ac) and basal average per hectare (m2/ha), based on samples and plot size. - Volume of Maple Syrup from Sap: Computes the amount of maple syrup produced from an amount of sugar maple sap.
- Value of Maple Syrup Harvest: Computes the dollar amount associated with a number of sugar maple tree taps.
- Acreage Sample Ring: Compute the radius of a circle (e.g., 37 ft) where the area of the circle equates to an input area (e.g., 1/10th acre)
- Square Meters to Acres: Converts square meters to acres.
