Scaling taper relationships from miniature-scale to operational-scale stands of loblolly pine

Abstract

Taper relationships for trees grown in miniature- and operational-scale stands of loblolly pine were established using stem analysis data from 106 and 173 trees, respectively. Tree taper was modeled using segmented polynomial and dimensionally compatible taper equations. The relationship was then scaled from miniature to operational scale using the profiles obtained from these taper equations. Stump diameter was used in the taper equations instead of dbh in scaling the relationship. A simple linear regression equation described well the taper relationship between trees grown at miniature and operational scales. The fit statistics for both the segmented polynomial and dimensionally compatible taper equations were comparable at both scales. In terms of predictive accuracy, however, the segmented polynomial taper equation was superior to the dimensionally compatible taper equation in scaling the taper relationship for trees from miniature- to operational-scale plots. Copyright © 2007 by the Society of American Foresters.