Estimating Crown Biomass in Loblolly Pine Plantations in the Carolina Flatwoods

Abstract

Abstract Branch-, tree- and stand-level equations are derived to estimate branchwood, needle, and total dry weight in the crowns of site-prepared plantations of loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda L.). The branch level models are based upon a logarithmic transformation of the allometric equation and present dry weight as a function of branch basal diameter, relative height of the branch, and stand age. The tree level models use either diameter at breast height (dbh) and crown ratio or dbh, age, and stand basal area as independent variables in the allometric function. Crown mass per acre is predicted from site index, age, and stand basal area. The accuracy and precision of the estimation procedures are evaluated with an independent data set. The trend of crown biomass change is investigated on a branch, tree, and stand basis. Forest Sci. 28:115-127.