Boombreedte

Boombreedte is a Dutch term used in forestry, arboriculture, and urban planning to describe the horizontal extent of a tree’s crown, i.e., the crown width or crown diameter. It denotes the distance across the crown projected onto the ground, typically determined along two perpendicular directions (for example north–south and east–west). The value can be expressed as a single diameter or as the average of the two measured axes.

Measuring boombreedte in the field often involves two tapes or a measuring device positioned from the trunk to the outer edge of the crown in each direction, or the use of imaging methods such as drone imagery or LiDAR to estimate canopy dimensions. Crown width is influenced by species, age, pruning, competition, and environmental conditions; in deciduous trees, leaf cover can affect apparent width.

Applications of boombreedte include assessing shading impact on nearby structures and pavement, planning planting layouts to avoid conflicts with utilities or buildings, estimating light availability for understory vegetation, and modeling canopy cover in ecological assessments. In urban forestry, it helps ensure adequate clearance from infrastructure and informs pruning or removal decisions.

Variations and terminology: the concept is closely related to crown spread, crown width, or canopy diameter. Local conventions may differ, and boombreedte is commonly used in Dutch-language literature alongside other metrics such as tree height and form.

Limitations: crown width can vary with wind, pruning, and measurement height; using a consistent protocol (specific height and method) is important for comparability.