Republic of the Philippines

Forestry and Environmental Science Department

COLLEGE OF FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
BOHOL ISLAND STATE UNIVERSITY - BILAR
Zamora, Bilar, Bohol

EXERCISE NO. 1a in FRM 4

MEASUREMENT OF TREE DIAMETER USING OCULAR ESTIMATION

Name: Bojo, Kim Trisha R. Rating:

Date Started: February 11, 2024 Date Submitted: February 16, 2024

BASIC CONCEPT:
One of the frequently important in measurement of tree variables is Diameter Measurement. It is the
linear measurement, the main objective of which is to estimate the volume of the trees. The volume of a tree is
dependent on diameter or girth at breast-height, total height and form factor. A tree's diameter is used to
describe the tree's size, calculate its fertilizer requirements and determine the tree's potential value as a source
of wood.

Tree diameter at breast height is the most common measurement taken by foresters. Average stem
diameter measured from the uphill side of the stem at a point 4.5 feet above the ground, outside of the bark, is
called the diameter at breast height (DBH). The standard measurement of depth below ground (DBH) in the
metric-using Philippines is 1.30 meters.

OBJECTIVES:

1. acquaint the student in the use of ocular estimation of tree diameters,

2. familiarized the Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) as point of measurement tree diameters, and
3. practice in using of ocular estimate in determining diameter of trees.

MATERIALS:

1. Sampled Trees
2. Ballpen or pencil
3. Field data sheet

PROCEDURES:

1. Select at least twenty-five (25) timber trees (do not include coconuts, palms, and other non-timber trees)
with at least fifteen (15) centimeter minimum diameter.
2. Mark each tree stem (with a marker) in the Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) point of measurement at 1.3
meters from the ground. Place tree number marker on each tree to avoid duplication of estimates and for
easy location of trees in next laboratory exercise.
3. Determine/estimate the diameter of each tree by ocular (eye) estimate at the mark DBH. Follow the tree
number marker for easy recording.
4. Identify and record the species in the field data in a separate sheet of paper.

FRM 4 Lab Exercise No. 1 a

DISCUSSION:

A tree’s diameter is a useful metric for measuring its size, growth, and volume. There are a few common
methods to measure tree diameter:

1. Direct Measurement with a Diameter Tape: This involves wrapping a flexible tape measure around the
tree trunk at breast height (usually 4.5 feet above the ground) and reading the diameter directly from the tape.

2. Calipers: Tree calipers are tools designed specifically for measuring tree diameter. They can be placed
around the tree trunk at breast height to obtain an accurate measurement.

3. Vernier Calipers or Digital Calipers: For smaller trees or more precise measurements, vernier calipers or
digital calipers can be used to measure diameter.

4. Optical Instruments: Laser rangefinders or hypsometers can be used to measure both height and
diameter of trees accurately.

5. Ocular Estimation: While not as precise, ocular estimation involves visually estimating the diameter of a
tree trunk by comparing it to known reference objects or using standard visual references.

In this laboratory exercise, we are instructed to select at least twenty-five (25) timber trees with at least
fifteen (15) centimeter minimum diameter and determine/estimate the diameter of each tree by ocular (eye)
estimate at the mark DBH.

CONCLUSION:

I have conducted my laboratory exercise at Bohol Island State University Bilar Campus near the
Fishery. I have listed 25 trees with their scientific, common, and family name. The smallest diameter that I have
estimated through ocular is 15 cm which is the Molave. The largest diameter is 41 cm which is the Kalumpit. I
am not sure about my estimations. Therefore, I conclude that the ocular can be less accurate than direct
measurements, it's often used in situations where time or resources for precise measurements are limited.

REFERENCES:
- www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/measure-diameter-trees-18037371.php
- Lecture Material Of Sir Noel Lomosbog “3A-FRM4-MEASUREMENT OF TREE VARIABLES (
diameter measurements)”
- https://www.wikihow.com/Measure-the-Diameter-of-a-Tree#Overview

Note: This is an individual work; hence, submission of reports is also individual.

Table 1. Tree-diameter measurements using ocular estimation of the twenty-five selected-tree species found in
Zamora, Bilar, Bohol conducted at Bohol Island State University.

FRM 4 Lab Exercise No. 1 a

 SPECIES OCULAR
TREE
SCIENTIFIC COMMON ESTIMATE REMARKS
# FAMILY NAME
NAME NAME (treediameter)
01. Spathodea Covered with
campanulata Bignoniaceae African Tulip 20 cm lianas.

02. Gmelina arborea Lamiaceae Yemane 38 cm Has a

lightcolored
bark.
03. Vitex parviflora Lamiaceae Molave 16 cm Straight and
cylindrical
bark. Not a
fruit-bearing
tree.
04. Shorea palosapis Dipterocarpaceae Mayapis 17 cm Straight tree
and has a lot of
lianas
covering the
bark.
05. Shorea contorta Dipterocarpaceae White Lauan 28 cm Straight and
cylindrical
bark. No
defects.
06. Cinnamomum Lauraceae Kalingag 16 cm Bark was
mercadoi covered with
lianas.
07. Shorea palosapis Dipterocarpaceae Mayapis 22 cm Straight and
cylindrical
bark. No
defecrs.
08. Cinnamomum Lauraceae Kalingag 20 cm Not too straight
mercadoi and has a little
damage.

09. Lagerstroemia Lythraceae Banaba 25 cm Bark is not

speciosa straight amd
has a little
damage.
10. Shorea palosapis Dipterocarpaceae Mayapis 20 cm Straight and
cylindrical.
Smooth bark
and no damage.

FRM 4 Lab Exercise No. 1 a

11. Shorea contorta Dipterocarpaceae White Lauan 39 cm Straight and
cylindrical.
No damage.
12. Gmelina arborea Lamiaceae Yemane 27 cm Straight and
smoothtextured
bark. Has a
little damage.

13. Gmelina arborea Lamiaceae Yemane 21 cm Straight and

smoothtextured
bark. Has a
little damage.

14. Triplaris cumingiana Polygonaceae Palosanto 19 cm Straight and

cylindrical
bark. No
damage or
defects.
15. Shorea palosapis Dipterocarpaceae Mayapis 20 cm Straight and
cylindrical
bark. No
damage or
defects.
16. Terminalia microcarpa Combretaceae Kalumpit 41 cm Lightcolored
and
smoothtextured
bark.
Straight and
cylindrical.

17. Terminalia microcarpa Combretaceae Kalumpit 20 cm Cylindrical

bark and has
a little defects.

18. Tangisang 16 cm Lightcolored

Bayawak bark
and has a
visible
damages.

FRM 4 Lab Exercise No. 1 a

19. Vitex parviflora Lamiacea Molave 15 cm Cylindrical and
roughtextured
bark.

20. Leucaena Fabaceae:Mimosoideae Ipil-ipil 26 cm Cylindrical but

leucocephala slanting bark.

Covered with
lianas and has
rough bark.

21. Dracontomelon dao Anacardiaceae Dao 17 cm Straight and

cylindrical
bark. Has a
light-
colored and
smoothtextured
bark.

22. Bischofa javanica Phyllanthaeae Tuai 30 cm Straight and

cylindrical
bark. No visible
damage.

23. Shorea contorta Dipterocarpaceae White Lauan 25 cm Straight and

cylindrical
bark. No visible
damage.

24. Dysoxylum Meliaceae Igyo 22 cm Cylindrical but

gaudichaudianum slanting
bark.
Lightcolored
and smooth.
25. Swietenia mahogany Meliaceae Mahogany 16 cm Darkcolored
bark and
covered with
lianas.

FRM 4 Lab Exercise No. 1 a

Sample Tree with the Students

Figure 1. Measuring the diameter of Gmelina arborea

Figure 2. Measuring the diameter of Shorea palosapis

FRM 4 Lab Exercise No. 1 a