Note on the Relation Between Ring Widths and Basal Area Increments

Abstract

Abstract A primary aim of tree-ring analysis is to reconstruct the annual growth patterns of individual trees or groups of trees, and then derive growth models which allow for prediction of wood production. Tree growth is mostly measured as a series of annual ring widths. In practice, however, one is interested in annual basal area increments (BAIs). The calculation of BAIs is quite involved. One needs extra information in addition to ring widths: diameters measured at the thickest and thinnest sides of the tree and an estimate of bark width. In this note a summary of the relevant formulas is presented. For. Sci. 41(2):297-304.