Comparison of the Arithmetic and Geometric Means in Estimating Crown Diameter and Crown Cross-Sectional Area

Abstract

Abstract The use of the geometric and arithmetic means for estimating tree crown diameter and crown cross-sectional area were examined for trees with crown width measurements taken at the widest point of the crown and perpendicular to the widest point of the crown. The average difference between the geometric and arithmetic mean crown diameters was less than 0.2 ft in absolute value. The mean difference between crown cross-sectional areas based on the geometric and arithmetic mean crown diameters was less than 6.0 ft2 in absolute value. At the plot level, the average difference between cumulative crown cross-sectional areas based on the geometric and arithmetic mean crown diameters amounted to less than 2.5% of the total plot area. The practical significance of these differences will depend on the final application in which the mean crown diameters are used.