How to Measure the Height of a Tree - Simple

Here is an easy way to measure the height of a tree. Using just a stick and optional tape measure, it is easy to find out how tall a tree is. There are tools foresters commonly use to measure the height of standing trees. Clinometers and lasers are often used. This method is a good easy technique for those who don't have those tools. We will measure a ponderosa pine tree and figure out how tall it is.

How to know which way a tree leans.

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[SGPARKER]

To ensure your "stick" [Yardstick] is perfectly straight up and down drill a small hole in the tip of the yardstick and tie a piece of Paracord through the hole using a knot to prevent it from slipping out. Then cut the length of the paracord to the desired length and tie a stainless steel nut to that end. When you hold the stick at arm's length you can adjust the angle using Gravity to bring the nut alongside the stick. Viola! 90 degrees!

[Bushman]

I’ve been using a similar method for estimating how far the top of the tree will land from the stump.
No stick required.
Hold your arm straight out like you were doing, but bend your forearm up 90 degrees at the elbow.
Now distance yourself from the tree to the point where your elbow is at the bottom of the tree and your fingertips are at the top.
Now turn your forearm level to the ground.
Your fingertips are where the top of the tree will land.
It’s pretty accurate and quick.

[JoelGrant-iely]

Not a woodsman but I do appreciate good humor. You reminded me of the old Red Green show out of Canada.

[erice]

Sure glad this works, it's the same method I use when I put the wife on the tractor to pull on a tree so I can make sure the tree doesn't damage the tractor by landing on it.

[grandpakevin]

Great humor! It made the video. Based on the comments I don’t think most folks appreciated it (or understood it) but it was awesome! And the method is cool too

[IvorClegg]

Ha! You've reminded me of my Forestry Instructor demonstrating this method many years ago: after getting the stick to the correct length, he'd say "you then put one end of the stick up to your remaining good eye..." :-)

[Shenkosky]

You could also put a bowl of water down on the ground and when you can see the very top of the trees reflection in that bowl of water you are exactly 💯 on brother!

[davidhrutfiord]

Another way is to walk out a random distance away, hold a stick vertical at arms length, shorten it to the hight of the tree (I've not been able to stretch them longer, so you might need bigger stick). Then rotate it horizontal. With one end at the base of the tree the other end will fall on a spot the height away from the tree. I like the 45 degree method you showed us, but I use this method to quickly see if I fall a tree to the side how far it will reach. You can measure how far that spot is if curious, but knowing what it's going to hit is usually more important.

[twagenknecht]

Trig for trees. Love it! Who knew maths were important in the woods. Great channel. Keep up the great work!

[BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

Nice explanation of the Biltmore stick ! I used this as a kid to win a Boy Scout summer camp competition. It really does work!

[TheOldManAndTheSaw]

Good information to know. I'm going to go over to the neighbor's from lawn and try it. To check the accuracy I'll cut down the tree and actually measure it. Of course I'll wait til they're not home to do this.

[stevegabbert]

You're a hoot, Wilson. Sure glad you found a "thing", it must have been close to a "round about".

[matthewward]

Old school, but it works. Been using this method for years. Helps to avoid hitting stuff when I’m working in close quarters.

[bigal]

Simpler way. Mark the tree from the ground up to a known height. Say 5 feet. Mark that place on the tree. Back up a distance and use the tape. Hold your tape vertical at arms length and measure the height of the 5 foot measurement on your tape. Then measure the height of the tree on your vertical tape. If say the 5' mark measured 1 inch on your tape and the tree measured 20 inches, multiply 5 x 20 and the tree is 100 feet tall.

[onthefarside]

I like this guy's humor and his method for finding how high the tree is.

[brentbosworth]

This is an OLD way but good way. I learned this in high school in the 70's. We all measured the flagpole in front of the school.

[jatimmonsjr]

A golf range finder would be perfect to shoot the distance from the “x” to the tree. Great video. Thanks.

[dwaynebramlett]

Loved the funny antics and humor. I have used this method for 50 + yrs and it is very effective. I wear nothing but Merino wool socks-wonderful for your feet. Great illustration for me a diagram would be great too

[gobarbless]

This is a very good old-fashioned method based on one of the basic rules of geometry. Nice work getting people to use geometry without knowing it. 😁

[kenball]

Great video, I appreciate the subtle humor.