Tree Inclination: The Hidden Factor in Height Measurement and Felling Safety

Tree Inclination: The Hidden Factor in Height Measurement and Felling Safety

Johan Ekenstedt

04 Aug 2020

When it comes to felling trees, precision and safety are paramount. We've all seen those heart-stopping videos where trees fall in unexpected directions, often with disastrous consequences. One crucial factor that's often overlooked in these situations is tree inclination. Today, we're diving into why inclination matters and how our latest app update can help you measure it accurately.

Tree Inclination in Arboreal Tree App

The Importance of Tree Inclination

Tree inclination significantly affects where a tree will fall when cut. Determining this inclination before starting your chainsaw can be the difference between a safe, controlled fell and a dangerous mishap.

Arboreal Tree App: Now with Inclination Measurement

We're excited to announce that the latest update of Arboreal Tree for iOS now includes inclination measurement. With this update, you can easily determine:

  1. Perpendicular height
  2. Inclination in degrees
  3. Inclined height

This additional information empowers you to make more informed decisions when planning tree felling operations.

The Impact of Inclination on Height Measurement

Inclination doesn't just affect felling; it also impacts height measurement. When a tree leans to the side, its actual length is always greater than its perpendicular height. However, the effect is relatively small:

  • A 10% inclination only makes the tree 1.5% longer

The real challenge comes when measuring trees leaning towards or away from you. This scenario can lead to an incorrect angle measurement and, consequently, an inaccurate result.

Tree Inclination Measurement Image source: AWF-Wiki

As shown in the image above, if a tree is leaning away from you, you'll likely underestimate its length.

Best Practices for Accurate Measurement

To ensure the most accurate measurements:

  1. For individual trees: Measure from two sides, perpendicular to each other. Use the height from the side with the greatest inclination.

  2. For multiple trees: If measuring many trees, you can assume they're leaning in different directions, and the mean height will be approximately correct.

Safety First

Remember, understanding tree inclination is crucial for safety in felling operations. Always assess the tree's lean before making any cuts, and use tools like the Arboreal Tree app to get accurate measurements.

Try It Yourself

Ready to experience the power of precise inclination measurement? Update your Arboreal Tree app on iOS today and start measuring with confidence. Whether you're a professional forester or an enthusiastic arborist, this new feature will add value to your forestry toolkit.

We're continually working to make forestry work safer and more efficient. Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, we welcome your feedback on this new feature!


Written by

Johan Ekenstedt

Johan Ekenstedt

CEO and iOS developer at Arboreal. Making it easier to measure, understand and manage trees and forests.

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