Tree diameter, height and stocking in even-aged forests

Abstract

Empirical observations suggest that in pure even-aged forests, the mean diameter of forest trees (D, diameter at breast height, 1.3 m above ground) tends to remain a constant proportion of stand height (H, average height of the largest trees in a stand) divided by the logarithm of stand density (N, number of trees per hectare): D = beta (H-1.3)/Ln(N). Thinning causes a relatively small and temporary change in the slope beta, the magnitude and duration of which depends on the nature of the thinning. This relationship may provide a robust predictor of growth in situations where scarce data and resources preclude more sophisticated modelling approaches.

15 pages, 8 figures. Annals of Forest Science, in press