Trigonometric variable-form taper equations for Australian eucalypts

Abstract

This article introduces a new variable-form taper model that is stable in specification yet flexible in its ability to fit data for species and trees with different stem forms. The base function is constructed from trigonometric volume-ratio equations following the geometry of a tree stem. The specification for the exponent includes variables for depicting changes in stem form along a stem and variables for taking into account differences in stem form among trees of different sizes. This model is fitted to data from 25 species of Australian eucalypts and is compared with Kozak's taper model to demonstrate its characteristics: stability in specification, flexibility in fitting data for species and trees with varying stem forms and accurate predictions of taper and merchantable height.