When you think of a logger or forester, what is the first tool that comes to mind? Probably a chainsaw, right? Well the other tool that they use on a daily basis is a diameter tape measure. What exactly do they use this specialized tape measure for?
- To wrap about tree branches, logs, and trunks to determine their diameter without cutting them
- To help estimate the age of the tree
- To determine the value of the tree if it’s being logged
- For landscapers, it also helps calculate the amount of fertilizer needed
To be consistent, all loggers measure standing trees with their diameter tape measures at Diameter Breast Height (DBH), which is 4.5’ above ground.