How To Measure A Tree

Measuring a Tree

Before adding a tree to the register, it’s helpful to take a few measurements. While not strictly required to add a tree to the register, measurements allow us to track changes and filter search results by size, location, and species.

Here are the most common data points to enter when adding a tree to the register:

Photo – Because people want to see your tree!
Location – The physical location of the trees or group of trees
Identification – The type of tree, genus, species, or cultivated variety.
Girth – The diameter of the tree at 1.4m (~4.5″) above the ground. AKA diameter at breast height (DBH).
Canopy Spread – Distance of outstretched limbs
Height – Distance from the groud to the talled point in the tree.

Measuring a tree sounds simple enough, but you will quickly see that mother nature does not like to follow any sort of structure! How do you measure a tree with two trunks? Or one that leans drastically to one side? This guide will help provide some clarity.

Step 1

Photograph

A picture’s worth a thousand words – and a good photograph will draw attention to your tree and help share its story.

There are no hard and fast rules – but taking getting the whole tree into the frame or having someone pose with your tree for scale can be helpful.

The Alberta Tree Register is capable of displaying multiple photos. We recommend posting between 1 and 3 photos per tree.

Photos must be uploaded as a .jpg file.

Step 2

Location

Where is your tree (or group of trees) physicallt located? The Alberta Tree Register can import tree locations by street address, GPS coordinates, or by physically moving a pin on an embedded Google map.

The tree register will give you the option to hide the location of a tree that’s on private property. While the location of the tree will be hidden, any photos, descriptions, and measurements will be displayed within the register.

Street Address
GPS Coordinates (recorded in photo metadata)

Step 3

Identification

First we have to fill this section with content, then we need to review and revise the content until it is perfect. Then, create more content! First we have to fill this section with content, then we need to review and revise the content until it is perfect. Then, create more content! First we have to fill this section with content, then we need to review and revise the content until it is perfect. Then, create more content! First we have to fill this section with content, then we need to review and revise the content until it is perfect. Then, create more content!

Step 4

Girth (DBH)

Step 5

Canopy Spread

Step 6