Stem Volume and Taper Functions for Yellow-Poplar in the Southern Appalachians

Abstract

Abstract Yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipfera L.) is an important commercial species that is marketed as a variety of products. Because merchantability standards change rapidly, it is desirable to have a set of volume estimating equations that are general and flexible for obtaining estimates for any specified portion of tree boles. Data from 336 yellow-poplar trees in the southern Appalachians were used to develop equations for predicting cu.ft. stem volume to any desired top diameter or height limit while insuring that predicted volumes were logically related through the fitting of diameter and height ratio equations. Rearrangement of these ratio equations provides implicit stem taper functions that can be used to estimate height at a given diameter and diameter at a given height.