beastmaster
Addicted to ArboristSite
I have never used one of these, Tree Height Gauge : SherrillTree Tree Care Equipment but there like 15 dollars.
Judging tree height
- Thread starter thuffman7121
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I have a ancient survey transit, it will measure everything to a T.
I have an old brunson pocket transit. It will measure tree height very nicely.
(Both of the methods above prefer to have a tape measure and a calculator for best results.)
I have a Nikon laser range finder with built in inclinometer that really makes measuring trees easy and accurate. I use it to measure acreage, not trees.
None of them ever get used on trees except for when I want to prove a point. If it's such a close fit that you need supreme accuracy, then you need to climb that tree and cut it off somewhere safer and higher. 45 degree measurement tricks always work fine for me, and I don't need to walk back to my vehicle to get something to measure with. At this stage, I don't need a protractor, either.
I have an old brunson pocket transit. It will measure tree height very nicely.
(Both of the methods above prefer to have a tape measure and a calculator for best results.)
I have a Nikon laser range finder with built in inclinometer that really makes measuring trees easy and accurate. I use it to measure acreage, not trees.
None of them ever get used on trees except for when I want to prove a point. If it's such a close fit that you need supreme accuracy, then you need to climb that tree and cut it off somewhere safer and higher. 45 degree measurement tricks always work fine for me, and I don't need to walk back to my vehicle to get something to measure with. At this stage, I don't need a protractor, either.
beastmaster
Addicted to ArboristSite
I make a 45 with my thumb and index finger, when walk it off to the trunk. Always gets me in the ball park. Mostly I use the fingertractor for figuring out where the trees going to fall to.
defensiblespace
ArboristSite Operative
There's a free android app called Smart Measure that claims to be able to measure a tree's height. I have it on my phone, but haven't used it yet. There are some other apps that do the same thing. I'm curious to know if anyone else has had success with any of these apps.
Break a piece of stick. Walk a good distance away from the tree and at arms length eye ball the stick to be the same length of the tree, from the bottom to the top. With the stick and the tree looking to be the same length, rotate your arm so that the bottom of the stick stays at the bottom of the tree. See the point where the top of the stick lands, thats where the top of the tree will hit. You can mark that spot with a refrence point and walk it off back towards the tree and thats your height. Kind of confusing without pics but its about as cheap and affective as you can get.
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teatersroad
What's a henway?
I just imagine it's a fishin boat standing on end. typically spot on knowing the lengths of most work boats.
tree md
Addicted to ArboristSite
The Egyptians figured out that you could measure your shadow and another object/structure's shadow at the same time of day and scale it to figure out how tall the object/structure was/is. It is how they measured the Pyramids and is also basic algebra.
Most crane service reps come out with a range finder these days to measure how far the tree is from the setup point and figure what size crane is needed. I have started carrying my Nikon 440 that I use for bow hunting when I bid crane work so I can give them an accurate measurement and save them a trip.
For general felling purposes, I just eyeball it. Up hill and down hill will trick you.
Most crane service reps come out with a range finder these days to measure how far the tree is from the setup point and figure what size crane is needed. I have started carrying my Nikon 440 that I use for bow hunting when I bid crane work so I can give them an accurate measurement and save them a trip.
For general felling purposes, I just eyeball it. Up hill and down hill will trick you.
DanW63
ArboristSite Lurker
OK, this is a follow up question. If you are using the eyeball and pencil or an inclinometer, does it throw off your calculations if you Missouri ridge runners are standing with your short leg on the downhill side? Just curious how you take that into account.
Lumberjack2277
ArboristSite Lurker
Here in South Alabama, we choot' our Red Ryder BB gun straight up beside the tree, and a fella' tells us if the BB reached the top, or not. If it reached the top, it's a sixty footer. "It went a little over"... means add a few feet ;-) Ok, this is only a joke. Seriously, just a joke;-) Maybe.... lol!
DanW63
ArboristSite Lurker
MISteve
ArboristSite Operative
Interesting subject. I use a stick,same length as distance from shoulder to palm of my hand.Hold stick upright and hand at eye level.Back away from the tree until top of stick lines up with tree top. Back up the distance of your height, and that is where it will fall. Has not failed yet, and I have seen this used for more than 35 years.
jrider
Addicted to ArboristSite
Old Indian method: Start at the base of the tree and start walking away, making sure to count your paces. When you think you are close to where the top will land bend over and look up at the top through your legs. If the top of the tree meets your crack, thats where it will fall. And if you don't laugh reading this, maybe people watching you try it will. But in all seriousness, when nobody was watching I've done it and it works.
MISteve
ArboristSite Operative
What if your pants sag like the kids wear today?
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