Tree Taper Model for Selected Tree Species within University of Ibadan, Oyo State

Abstract

In this study, the performance of different types of taper model for predicting tree diameters of Terminalia radii (Tent tree) at Heritage Park and Tectonia grandis (Teak) at teak plantation within University of Ibadan was examined. Data from pure (monoculture) stands of T. radii (Heritage Park) and T. grandis (Teak Plantation) containing a total of 146 tent trees and 131 teak trees respectively. Five taper models developed by various researchers were adopted, fitted and evaluated. The comparison of the model performances was basically on the analysis of three goodness-of-fit statistics and residue analysis found model 5 to be most superior in predicting the stem diameter at any point for the two species in the two study areas. The Model 2 exhibited the worst performance in fitting statistics and residual analysis results. Therefore, the same taper model should be used for prediction of diameter of the two tree species within University of Ibadan.