The reliability of tree crown position classification

Abstract

Traditionally, forest crown position is classified into one of four categories: dominant, codominant, intermediate, and suppressed. The crown definitions have two primary components: a tree's stature relative to the stand's canopy level and the amount and type of light received by its crown. While this classification is meant primarily for even-aged, single level canopy stands, it is applied widely to uneven-aged stands and to those with multilevel canopies. The objective of this study was to examine the repeatability of estimating crown position in a variety of stands in the southern Appalachian spruce–fir forest. We found that crown position was difficult to similarly reclassify on the second visit in uneven-aged stands. Distinguishing a dominant from a codominant crown resulted in the lowest remeasurement proportion of agreement. We propose that the canopy position definitions be clarified and suggest an alternate system of crown classification.