Stem analysis program for coniferous forest tree species

The objectives of this study were to describe and demonstrate a PC-based stem analysis program applicable to coniferous forest tree species. From annual ring-width xylem sequences obtained from cross-sectional samples located at multiple stem heights, the program computes: radial and longitudinal ring-width sequences, apical growth increments, sectional and cumulative volume production patterns, and stem developmental profiles. Computations are based on the following geometric assumptions: (1) the stump, tip and sections in between are treated as geometric solids of revolution resembling a cylinder, cone, and frustum of a cone, respectively; and (2) for sections in which increments are not continuous throughout, computations are based on a geometric solid of revolution resembling a cone. The program corrects for slant-based sectional length measurements using the Pythagorean theorem and eliminates the need to externally predict height for a given age via a linear interpolation procedure: The utility of the program is demonstrated via a comparison of the longitudinal radial growth, patterns of jack pine, Pinus banksiana Lamb., trees that developed under different density management regimes. Crown Copyright (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.