Basal Area Calculator
Calculate individual tree basal area, total basal area for multiple trees, basal area per acre or hectare, and related forest-inventory metrics.
Single Tree Basal Area
Enter diameter at breast height (DBH). For the standard U.S. forestry formula, DBH is measured in inches.
Multiple Tree Basal Area
Enter one DBH per line or separate values with commas. The calculator calculates each tree individually before summing the results.
Plot / Stand Basal Area
Calculate total basal area in a fixed-area sample plot and expand it to a per-acre or per-hectare basis.
Trees Per Acre → Basal Area
This mode assumes all trees have the same DBH. Use the multiple-tree or plot mode when actual tree diameters differ.
Basal Area Formulas
Basal area is the cross-sectional area represented by a tree stem at breast height.
For DBH in inches and basal area in square feet:
For DBH in centimeters and basal area in square meters:
For forest-management decisions, interpret basal area using the appropriate local inventory method, species, site, stand conditions, and management objectives.
The Basal Area Calculator calculates the cross-sectional area of a tree stem at breast height using its diameter at breast height (DBH). It can also be used to calculate the combined basal area of multiple trees and, when a plot area is provided, estimate stand basal area per acre or hectare.
Basal area is an important measurement in forestry because it provides information about the amount of tree stem occupying a given area of forest. Unlike simply counting trees, basal area accounts for tree size as well as tree number, making it useful for evaluating stand density, competition, forest inventory, thinning, and forest management.
For a single tree, the basic geometric formula is:
\(BA = pi r^2\)
When DBH is measured in inches and basal area is expressed in square feet, the forestry formula is:
\(BA(ft^2) = 0.005454 times D^2\)
where:
- BA = basal area of the tree in square feet
- D = diameter at breast height in inches
- π = approximately 3.14159
For a group of trees, their individual basal areas are added together. If those trees were measured within a known sample plot, the result can then be expanded to a per-acre or per-hectare basis.
What Is Basal Area?
Basal area is the cross-sectional area of a tree stem at a specified height, conventionally measured at breast height.
In forestry, the term is usually associated with the stem diameter measured at 4.5 feet (1.37 m) above ground level in U.S. forestry practice.
Imagine cutting a tree trunk horizontally at breast height and looking directly at the circular cross-section. The area of that cross-section is the tree’s basal area.
The tree does not actually need to be cut down. Foresters normally measure its diameter at breast height and calculate the corresponding circular area.
For an individual tree:
\(BA = pi r^2\)
Because radius is half the diameter:
\(BA = pi left(frac{D}{2}right)^2\)
which simplifies to:
\(BA = frac{pi D^2}{4}\)
At the stand level, basal area generally refers to the combined basal area of trees expressed relative to a unit of land area, commonly square feet per acre in the United States or square meters per hectare in metric forestry.
This distinction is essential:
The basal area of one tree is an area measurement for that tree; stand basal area is an area-per-unit-land measurement.
How the Basal Area Calculator Works
The calculator can be used in several ways.
Single-tree calculation
Enter:
- DBH
- DBH unit
- desired output unit
The calculator returns the basal area of that tree.
Multiple-tree calculation
Enter the DBHs of multiple trees to calculate:
- basal area of each tree
- total basal area
- number of trees
- average DBH
Plot calculation
Enter tree DBHs and the area of the sample plot to calculate:
- total basal area within the plot
- basal area per acre
- basal area per hectare
- expansion factor
Trees-per-acre calculation
If all trees are assumed to have the same DBH, the calculator can estimate stand basal area from:
- DBH
- trees per acre
This is useful for understanding the relationship between tree size, tree density, and basal area.
Basal Area Formula
The basic formula comes from the area of a circle:
\(A = pi r^2\)
For a tree:
\(r = frac{D}{2}\)
Therefore:
\(BA = pi left(frac{D}{2}right)^2\)
and:
\(BA = frac{pi D^2}{4}\)
This formula gives the result in the square of whatever unit is used for diameter.
For example, if diameter is measured in inches, the direct geometric result is in square inches.
To express basal area in square feet, divide by 144 because:
\(1,ft^2 = 144,in^2\)
Therefore:
\(BA(ft^2) = frac{pi D^2}{4 times 144}\)
which produces the commonly used forestry constant:
\(BA(ft^2) = 0.005454 times D^2\)
where DBH is in inches.
How to Calculate Basal Area From DBH
Calculating basal area from DBH involves three basic steps.
Step 1: Measure DBH
Measure the tree’s diameter at breast height.
For standard U.S. forestry applications, this is normally 4.5 feet above the ground.
Step 2: Square the diameter
If the tree has a DBH of 12 inches:
\(12^2 = 144\)
Step 3: Multiply by the forestry constant
\(BA = 0.005454 times 144\)
\(BA approx 0.7854,ft^2\)
Therefore, a tree with a 12-inch DBH has approximately:
\(0.785,ft^2\)
of basal area.
Example: 10-Inch Tree
Suppose a tree has a DBH of 10 inches.
Using:
\(BA = 0.005454,D^2\)
we get:
\(BA = 0.005454(10)^2\)
\(BA = 0.005454(100)\)
\(BA approx 0.5454,ft^2\)
So the tree has approximately 0.545 ft² of basal area.
Example: 20-Inch Tree
For a 20-inch tree:
\(BA = 0.005454(20)^2\)
\(BA = 0.005454(400)\)
\(BA approx 2.1816,ft^2\)
Therefore, the tree has approximately 2.182 ft² of basal area.
Notice that a 20-inch tree does not have twice the basal area of a 10-inch tree.
It has approximately four times the basal area, because diameter is squared. This is one of the most important concepts in understanding basal area.
Why DBH Is Squared
The formula contains:
\(D^2\)
That means relatively small changes in tree diameter can produce large changes in basal area. For example:
10-inch tree
\(BA approx 0.545,ft^2\)
20-inch tree
\(BA approx 2.182,ft^2\)
The diameter doubled:
\(frac{20}{10} = 2\)
but the basal area increased by approximately:
\(2^2 = 4\)
This is why a forest containing fewer large trees can have a similar or greater basal area than a forest containing many small trees.
What Is DBH?
DBH stands for Diameter at Breast Height. It is one of the most commonly used measurements in forest inventory.
Rather than measuring the tree diameter at the ground, at the crown, or at an arbitrary location, foresters use a standardized measurement height. In conventional U.S. forestry practice, DBH is measured approximately:
\(4.5,ft;(1.37,m)\)
above ground level. This standardization allows measurements from different trees, plots, forests, and inventories to be compared.
How to Measure DBH
A diameter tape is commonly used for forestry measurements. A diameter tape is designed so that the circumference measurement can be read directly as diameter.
A regular measuring tape can also be used to measure circumference, after which diameter can be calculated:
\(D = frac{C}{pi}\)
where:
- D = diameter
- C = circumference
Once DBH has been obtained, it can be entered into the basal area formula.
Measuring DBH on Sloping Ground
Trees are often located on uneven terrain. When a tree stands on a slope, the breast-height measurement should be taken from the appropriate reference point according to the forestry measurement convention rather than simply measuring 4.5 feet vertically from whichever side happens to be easiest.
Incorrect measurement position can introduce systematic errors into a forest inventory. For professional inventory work, the field crew should use the applicable measurement standard consistently.
What About Leaning Trees?
A leaning tree requires additional care. DBH is intended to represent the stem diameter at the standardized breast-height position rather than simply taking a measurement at a convenient location along the leaning stem.
The important principle is consistency:
Measure DBH according to the applicable forestry protocol, not merely wherever the tape is easiest to place.
What About Trees With Abnormal Stems?
Trees may have:
- buttresses
- swelling
- forks
- branches
- deformities
- burl growth
- irregular trunks
If the stem is abnormal at the standard DBH point, forestry inventory procedures may specify measuring at a different height and recording the situation appropriately.
There is no single workaround that should be applied to every irregular tree. For formal forest inventories, use the measurement protocol appropriate to the inventory method, agency, species, and region.
Individual Tree Basal Area vs Stand Basal Area
This distinction is extremely important.
Individual tree basal area
This is the cross-sectional area represented by one tree stem. For example:
\(BA approx 0.785,ft^2\)
for a 12-inch tree.
Stand basal area
Stand basal area combines the basal areas of trees and expresses the result relative to a defined area of land. It is commonly expressed as:
\(ft^2/acre\) or \(m^2/ha\)
For example, suppose a sample plot contains trees whose combined basal area is 8 ft² and the plot covers 0.1 acre. Then:
\(BA_{acre} = frac{BA_{plot}}{plot,area,(acres)} = frac{8}{0.1} = 80,ft^2/acre\)
The distinction is: 0.785 ft²/tree is not the same type of measurement as 80 ft²/acre.
How to Calculate Basal Area for Multiple Trees
Suppose you measure five trees: 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 inches. Calculate the basal area of each tree separately. The formula is:
\(BA_i = 0.005454,D_i^2\)
Then:
\(BA_{total} = BA_1+BA_2+BA_3+BA_4+BA_5\)
Approximate values are:
| DBH | Basal Area |
|---|---|
| 10 in | 0.545 ft² |
| 12 in | 0.785 ft² |
| 14 in | 1.069 ft² |
| 16 in | 1.396 ft² |
| 18 in | 1.767 ft² |
Adding them:
\(BA_{total} approx 5.562,ft^2\)
Thus, the five trees collectively represent approximately 5.562 ft² of basal area.
Why You Should Not Simply Average DBH
A common mistake is to calculate the average DBH and then use that average as though it represents the basal area of every tree.
Because basal area is proportional to:
\(D^2\)
the average of the squared diameters is not generally equal to the square of the average diameter. In other words:
\(overline{D^2} neq overline{D}^2\)
in general. Therefore, when calculating the actual basal area of a group of trees:
Calculate each tree’s basal area and then add the results.
This is especially important when the trees vary considerably in diameter.
Basal Area Per Acre
Stand basal area is commonly expressed in square feet per acre in U.S. forestry. If you have measured a fixed-area plot, the basic calculation is:
\(BA_{acre} = frac{BA_{plot}}{plot,area,(acres)}\)
Example
Suppose a 0.1-acre plot contains trees with a combined basal area of 7.5 ft². Then:
\(BA_{acre} = frac{7.5}{0.1} = 75,ft^2/acre\)
The plot’s total basal area is 7.5 ft², while its expanded stand basal area is 75 ft²/acre.
Using an Expansion Factor
The same calculation can be expressed using an expansion factor.
\(Expansion,Factor = frac{1}{plot,area,(acres)}\)
For a 0.1-acre plot:
\(EF = frac{1}{0.1} = 10\)
Then:
\(BA_{acre} = EF times BA_{plot}\)
If plot basal area is 7.5 ft²:
\(7.5 times 10 = 75\)
Therefore, basal area per acre is 75 ft²/acre, matching the direct calculation above.
Basal Area Per Hectare
The metric equivalent is commonly expressed as:
\(m^2/ha\)
The same principle applies:
\(BA_{ha} = frac{BA_{plot}(m^2)}{plot,area,(ha)}\)
For example, if a 0.05-hectare plot contains 4 m² of tree basal area:
\(BA_{ha} = frac{4}{0.05} = 80,m^2/ha\)
Trees Per Acre and Basal Area
Tree count alone does not tell you how much basal area a stand has. Consider two hypothetical stands.
Stand A
100 trees per acre with 6-inch DBH. A 6-inch tree has:
\(BA = 0.005454(6)^2\)
\(BA approx 0.196,ft^2\)
Therefore:
\(100 times 0.196 = 19.6,ft^2/acre\)
Stand B
100 trees per acre with 18-inch DBH. An 18-inch tree has approximately 1.767 ft². Therefore:
\(100 times 1.767 = 176.7,ft^2/acre\)
Both stands contain 100 trees per acre. But their basal areas are dramatically different. This demonstrates why basal area is more informative than tree count alone when evaluating stand structure.
Basal Area and Stand Density
Basal area is widely used as an indicator of stand density. It reflects both number of trees and tree size. This makes it useful for understanding how much tree stem area is represented within a given land area.
However, basal area is not the same thing as every other measure of forest density. It should not automatically be treated as equivalent to trees per acre, canopy cover, stocking percentage, timber volume, biomass, or crown competition. These measurements describe different characteristics of a forest.
Is a Higher Basal Area Better?
Not necessarily. There is no single basal-area value that is universally “good” for every forest. An appropriate basal area can vary with tree species, forest type, stand age, site productivity, geographic region, management objective, desired growth, wildlife objectives, timber production goals, and regeneration objectives.
For example, a manager interested in maximizing individual-tree growth may use a different density target from a manager pursuing a different ecological or timber objective.
Therefore, a calculator should report the measured basal area accurately rather than automatically labeling a result as “good” or “bad.” For management decisions, compare the result with appropriate local forestry guidance.
Basal Area and Thinning
Basal area is particularly useful when evaluating thinning. A stand can have high tree numbers but relatively small trees, or fewer trees but relatively large trees.
Thinning removes selected trees and therefore reduces total stand basal area. A forest manager can compare basal area before thinning, trees removed, basal area removed, and residual basal area. This provides a useful quantitative description of how stand density changes.
However, the correct residual basal area depends on the specific forest and management objective. There is no universal thinning number that should be applied to every stand.
Basal Area Tables
The following table gives approximate basal area for individual trees using DBH in inches and basal area in square feet.
| DBH | Basal Area |
|---|---|
| 4 in | 0.087 ft² |
| 6 in | 0.196 ft² |
| 8 in | 0.349 ft² |
| 10 in | 0.545 ft² |
| 12 in | 0.785 ft² |
| 14 in | 1.069 ft² |
| 16 in | 1.396 ft² |
| 18 in | 1.767 ft² |
| 20 in | 2.182 ft² |
| 22 in | 2.641 ft² |
| 24 in | 3.142 ft² |
| 26 in | 3.676 ft² |
| 28 in | 4.277 ft² |
Metric Basal Area Formula
If DBH is measured in centimeters and the result is required in square meters, the geometric formula can be used directly with unit conversion.
\(BA = frac{pi D^2}{4}\)
where D is converted to meters. Since:
\(1,cm = 0.01,m\)
the resulting formula is:
\(BA(m^2) = 0.00007854 times D^2\)
where DBH is in centimeters.
Example
Suppose DBH is 30 cm.
\(BA = 0.00007854(30)^2\)
\(BA approx 0.07069,m^2\)
Therefore, the tree has approximately 0.0707 m² of basal area.
Basal Area Unit Conversions
Useful relationships include:
\(1,ft^2 = 0.092903,m^2\)
and:
\(1,m^2 = 10.7639,ft^2\)
For land area:
\(1,acre approx 0.404686,ha\)
and:
\(1,ha approx 2.47105,acres\)
When converting stand basal area, both the tree-area unit and land-area unit must be handled consistently.
What Is Quadratic Mean Diameter?
An advanced forest-inventory concept related to basal area is quadratic mean diameter (QMD). For n trees:
\(QMD = sqrt{frac{sum D_i^2}{n}}\)
Unlike ordinary arithmetic mean diameter, QMD gives greater influence to larger trees. This makes it particularly useful in forest inventory because basal area itself is proportional to squared diameter.
QMD should not be confused with average DBH. For example:
\(Arithmetic,Mean,DBH = frac{sum D_i}{n}\)
while:
\(QMD = sqrt{frac{sum D_i^2}{n}}\)
They will generally produce different results when tree diameters vary.
Basal Area Factor and Angle-Gauge Sampling
Professional forestry inventory can also estimate basal area using variable-radius sampling. One common approach uses a basal-area-factor instrument such as an angle gauge or prism.
The concept is different from simply measuring every tree inside a fixed-radius or fixed-area plot.
With a known Basal Area Factor (BAF), trees that qualify under the sampling method represent a specified amount of basal area per unit land area. For example, a BAF instrument might be designated as:
\(BAF = 10\)
The resulting basal-area estimate is based on the number and status of trees sampled according to the method.
This approach can be extremely efficient for forest inventory, but it requires correct field technique. An angle-gauge measurement should not be treated as merely another way of measuring DBH.
Fixed-Area vs Variable-Radius Sampling
These are different inventory methods.
Fixed-area sampling
You establish a plot with a known area. You measure qualifying trees within that plot, calculate their basal areas, add them together, and expand the result to the desired land-area basis.
Variable-radius sampling
The probability of selecting a tree depends on its diameter and the sampling method’s basal area factor. The field procedure uses an angle gauge, prism, or related instrument.
The two methods should not be mixed without accounting for their different sampling principles.
Common Basal Area Calculation Mistakes
1. Using tree height instead of DBH
Basal area is based on stem diameter at the specified measurement height. Tree height is not substituted into the basal-area formula.
2. Measuring diameter at the ground
The standard measurement is made at breast height rather than at the base of the tree.
3. Confusing diameter with radius
If the tree’s diameter is 12 inches, its radius is 6 inches. Using 12 as the radius would produce an area four times too large.
4. Forgetting to square diameter
The formula is:
\(BA propto D^2\)
not:
\(BA propto D\)
5. Mixing inches and feet
If using:
\(BA = 0.005454,D^2\)
DBH must be in inches and the resulting basal area is in square feet.
6. Confusing tree BA with BA per acre
A single tree might have 1.5 ft² of basal area. That does not mean the stand has 1.5 ft²/acre. Stand basal area requires a land-area basis.
7. Dividing by the wrong plot area
If a plot is 0.1 acre, dividing by 1 instead of 0.1 would produce a completely different result.
8. Averaging DBH before calculating basal area
Because diameter is squared, calculating BA from average DBH can misrepresent the true combined basal area. Calculate each tree separately when actual tree measurements are available.
9. Assuming a universal target basal area
Forest management recommendations depend on local conditions and objectives. A calculator should not pretend that one number is appropriate for every forest.
10. Mixing sampling methods
Fixed-area plots and variable-radius/BAF sampling follow different procedures. Results should be interpreted according to the method used.
How to Use Basal Area in Forest Inventory
A basic field workflow can look like this:
Step 1: Establish the sampling area
Determine whether you are using fixed-area plots, variable-radius sampling, or another accepted inventory method.
Step 2: Identify the trees to measure
Apply the appropriate inclusion rules.
Step 3: Measure DBH
Measure each tree at the specified breast-height position.
Step 4: Calculate individual basal area
For U.S. units:
\(BA = 0.005454,D^2\)
Step 5: Add the individual basal areas
\(BA_{plot} = sum BA_i\)
Step 6: Apply the appropriate expansion
For a fixed-area plot:
\(BA_{acre} = frac{BA_{plot}}{plot,area,(acres)}\)
Step 7: Interpret the result
Compare the resulting stand density with appropriate forestry references for the particular species, site, stand, region, and management objective.
Example: 0.1-Acre Forest Plot
Suppose a 0.1-acre plot contains these trees:
| Tree | DBH |
|---|---|
| 1 | 10 in |
| 2 | 12 in |
| 3 | 14 in |
| 4 | 16 in |
| 5 | 18 in |
Their approximate basal areas are: 10 in = 0.545 ft², 12 in = 0.785 ft², 14 in = 1.069 ft², 16 in = 1.396 ft², 18 in = 1.767 ft². Total:
\(BA_{plot} approx 5.562,ft^2\)
Because the plot is 0.1 acre:
\(BA_{acre} = frac{5.562}{0.1} approx 55.62,ft^2/acre\)
The plot itself contains approximately 5.56 ft² of basal area. The expanded stand estimate is approximately 55.62 ft²/acre.
Example: Same Number of Trees, Different Basal Area
Suppose two one-acre stands each contain 50 trees.
Stand A
Each tree has a DBH of 8 inches. Basal area per tree: 0.349 ft². Total:
\(50 times 0.349 approx 17.45,ft^2/acre\)
Stand B
Each tree has a DBH of 20 inches. Basal area per tree: 2.182 ft². Total:
\(50 times 2.182 approx 109.1,ft^2/acre\)
Both stands have exactly 50 trees. Yet one has approximately 17.45 ft²/acre and the other approximately 109.1 ft²/acre. This illustrates why basal area captures information that tree count alone cannot.
Why Basal Area Is Useful
Basal area can be useful for forest inventory, stand-density assessment, thinning analysis, timber management, comparing stand structure, monitoring changes over time, estimating stand characteristics, evaluating competition, and forest growth studies. It is especially useful because it incorporates tree diameter into the measurement.
What Basal Area Does Not Tell You
Basal area is valuable, but it is not a complete description of a forest. By itself, it does not tell you total timber volume, tree height, species composition, age structure, canopy condition, crown size, biomass, carbon stock, regeneration status, or wildlife habitat quality.
Two stands can have similar basal area while differing greatly in species, age, height, crown structure, and ecological condition. Therefore, basal area should normally be considered alongside other forest measurements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is basal area?
Basal area is the cross-sectional area of a tree stem at a specified height, conventionally measured at breast height for forestry purposes. At the stand level, basal area is commonly expressed as square feet per acre or square meters per hectare.
How do you calculate basal area?
For a circular tree stem:
\(BA = pi left(frac{D}{2}right)^2\)
When DBH is in inches and basal area is required in square feet:
\(BA = 0.005454,D^2\)
What is the basal area of a 10-inch tree?
A 10-inch DBH tree has approximately 0.545 ft² of basal area.
What is the basal area of a 12-inch tree?
A 12-inch DBH tree has approximately 0.785 ft² of basal area.
What is the basal area of a 20-inch tree?
A 20-inch DBH tree has approximately 2.182 ft² of basal area.
How do you calculate basal area per acre?
For a fixed-area plot:
\(BA_{acre} = frac{BA_{plot}}{plot,area,(acres)}\)
What is the difference between basal area and trees per acre?
Trees per acre measures the number of trees. Basal area per acre measures the combined stem cross-sectional area represented by those trees. A stand with many small trees can have less basal area than a stand with fewer large trees.
What is DBH?
DBH means Diameter at Breast Height. In conventional U.S. forestry practice, it is measured approximately 4.5 feet above ground.
Why is diameter squared in the basal-area formula?
Because the cross-section is treated geometrically as a circle:
\(A = pi r^2\)
Since radius is proportional to diameter, basal area is proportional to the square of diameter.
Can I calculate basal area from circumference?
Yes. First convert circumference to diameter:
\(D = frac{C}{pi}\)
Then calculate:
\(BA = pi left(frac{D}{2}right)^2\)
Can basal area be calculated for multiple trees?
Yes. Calculate each tree’s basal area and add the results:
\(BA_{total} = sum BA_i\)
What is basal area per hectare?
It is the total basal area represented per hectare of forest land, commonly expressed in:
\(m^2/ha\)
Is higher basal area always better?
No. Appropriate stand basal area depends on species, site, stand age, management objectives, and other factors.
What is a basal area factor?
A basal area factor (BAF) is used in variable-radius forest sampling to relate selected trees to an estimate of stand basal area.
What is an angle gauge?
An angle gauge is a forestry sampling instrument used in variable-radius or prism-style sampling to determine whether trees qualify for inclusion based on their apparent stem size and distance.
Can I use average DBH to calculate stand basal area?
Not generally if individual DBHs are available. Because basal area depends on squared diameter, calculate each tree’s basal area and then sum the values.
Does basal area measure tree volume?
No. Basal area is an area measurement, not a volume measurement. Volume additionally depends on factors such as tree height and stem form.
Basal Area Calculator: Quick Reference
Individual tree
\(BA = pi left(frac{D}{2}right)^2\)
DBH in inches → basal area in ft² using \(BA = 0.005454,D^2\).
Multiple trees
\(BA_{total} = sum BA_i\)
Fixed-area plot
\(BA_{acre} = frac{BA_{plot}}{plot,area,(acres)}\)
Metric individual-tree formula
\(BA(m^2) = 0.00007854 times D^2\)
Quadratic mean diameter
\(QMD = sqrt{frac{sum D_i^2}{n}}\)
Final Takeaway
The Basal Area Calculator provides a simple way to turn DBH measurements into a useful forestry metric.
For an individual tree:
\(BA = pi left(frac{D}{2}right)^2\)
For U.S. forestry measurements using DBH in inches:
\(BA = 0.005454,D^2\)
For multiple trees, calculate each tree’s basal area and add the results.
For a fixed-area plot, divide the total plot basal area by the plot’s land area to obtain a stand-level estimate such as:
\(BA_{acre} = frac{BA_{plot}}{plot,area,(acres)}\)
or:
\(BA_{ha} = frac{BA_{plot}}{plot,area,(ha)}\)
The most important concept to remember is that basal area is not simply a tree-count measurement. Because diameter is squared, larger trees contribute disproportionately more basal area than smaller trees.
Basal area is therefore a useful way to describe stand density and structure, but it should not be interpreted in isolation. Species, site quality, stand age, tree height, crown structure, management objectives, and other forest characteristics can all affect how a particular basal-area value should be interpreted.
For routine calculations, the calculator can provide the arithmetic quickly. For actual forest-management decisions, the calculated value should be evaluated using the appropriate local forestry standards, inventory method, and management objectives.