The use of product form in form-class volume equations

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Forest Research
• Main Author: Smith, V. G.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1976
• Subjects: Ecology; Forestry; Global and Planetary Change; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/x76-012; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/x76-012

This paper describes studies on testing of form-class volume equations in tree-length logging operations where upper-tree diameters are easily measured, and it investigates a modified procedure for estimating the relationship between diameter and the product of form and length. Stacked wood measurements for some 84 piles of spruce–fir tree lengths, obtained on four different logging operations in Newfoundland and Labrador in 1973–1974, were compared with corresponding estimates obtained by using regional volume, standard volume, form-class volume, and product-form volume equations.Product-form volume equations gave more accurate estimates than any of the other equations for these data.Regional volume/diameter equations were more accurate than the standard volume equations and were on a par with the conventional form-class volume equations. Regional volume/diameter equations should be used when the cost of developing local volume tables from sample observations is too great.