How to Measure a Tree

Measuring the Height of a Tree

Students learn different ways to measure the height of a tree:

 Method One

Method Two

Stand at the base of the tree, and hold a ruler straight out in front of you in a vertical position. Close one eye and back away from the tree until you reach the point at which the ruler and the tree appear to be the same size. Stop and have a partner measure the distance between the tree and the ruler. That is the approximate height of the tree.

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Method Three  Again working in pairs, a student of known height (A) stands at the base of the tree. Student B walks a distance from the tree (10-20 meters). B holds a stick vertically in an outstretched arm and adjust the length of the stick protruding out of the top of the fist so that the top of the fist lines up with the base of Student A and the top of the pencil lines up with the top of Student A's head. Student A's known height becomes the unit of measurement. Estimate the number of these known units it takes to reach the top of the tree and multiply the Student A's height. Report in meters.

Method Four  A simpler clinometer may be made to gain an estimate of the tree also. the base of the protractor is parallel to the straight edge of the wood. Students sight down the edge of the clinometer and move to a point where they are looking at the top of the tree with the weight hanging on the 45 degree mark. This forms an isosceles triangle meaning the distance from the viewer to the base of tree is equal to the height of the tree (from the viewer's eyes to the top). Measure the distance to the tree and add the height of the viewer's eyes.
 * 1) Cut a half circle of heavy cardboard.
 * 2) Mark O, 45, and 90 degrees according to Figure 5.
 * 3) Tack the cardboard onto a 12 piece of wood making sure
 * 1) Place a tack in the center of the top of the cardboard.
 * 2) Hang a string with a weight attached to this tack.

Sources

http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/03/lp309-01.shtml#sthash.ENJOrLMy.dpuf

http://web.archive.org/web/20030426171031/http://cgee.hamline.edu/Fall/height.html