Stammesumfang

Stammesumfang is the circumference of a tree trunk measured at a specified height above ground, most commonly at breast height. In forestry and tree biology, the standard height used is 1.30 meters, and the resulting value is used as a basic size metric for individual trees and for stand assessments. The term can be written as Stammesumfang or Stammumfang in practice, with Stammesumfang frequently appearing in general usage.

Measurement is typically done with a flexible measuring tape. The tape is wrapped around the trunk at the prescribed height, kept level, and tightened without compressing the bark. The measurement is recorded to the nearest centimeter and then sometimes converted to diameter using the relation D = C / π. For irregular trunks, buttressed bases, or multi-stemmed trees, alternative methods or heights may be specified by measurement protocols.

Applications of the Stammesumfang include estimating timber volume, assessing forest productivity, and informing management decisions. It is often used in conjunction with species-specific allometric equations to estimate basal area, biomass, or yield. Stammesumfang also serves as a simple, comparable metric across forests and time to monitor growth and stand development.

Variability in Stammesumfang arises from species, age, site conditions, competition, and measurement practices. Standardized methods help ensure comparability, but differences in height, trunk morphology, and instrumentation can affect results. Overall, Stammesumfang remains a fundamental and widely used parameter in dendrometry and forest management.