200
m³/ha
10,000
m³
10,000
m³
200
m³/ha
10,000
m³
10,000
m³
The Timber Yield Calculator estimates the total standing timber volume and harvestable volume for a forest area based on average tree volume, stocking density, and the planned harvest percentage. This tool supports forest management planning, harvest scheduling, timber sale estimation, and sustainable yield calculations. Knowing the standing volume and how much can be sustainably harvested is essential for both economic and ecological forest management.
Enter the average volume per tree (from the Tree Volume Calculator or inventory data), stocking density (trees per hectare), total forest area, and the percentage of trees to be harvested.
The calculator uses straightforward multiplication:
The harvest percentage allows you to model different silvicultural treatments: 100% for clear-cutting, 30-60% for selective thinning, or 10-30% for single-tree selection. Sustainable forest management typically aims to harvest no more than the mean annual increment (growth) to maintain or increase standing volume over time.
Inputs
Results
A 50 ha pine plantation at 200 m³/ha clear-cut yields 10,000 m³ total timber.
Inputs
Results
A natural forest with 300 m³/ha and 30% selective harvest over 100 ha yields 9,000 m³.
The sustainable harvest level is the amount of timber that can be removed annually without reducing the standing volume over the long term. It is typically equal to the Mean Annual Increment (MAI), which is the average annual volume growth per hectare. For managed temperate forests, MAI ranges from 3-12 m³/ha/year depending on species and site quality. Harvesting more than MAI depletes the growing stock over time.
Gross volume is the total stem volume of standing trees. Net volume deducts for defects (rot, crook, sweep, breakage) and typically equals 75-90% of gross volume in healthy stands. Merchantable volume further deducts the stump, top above minimum utilization diameter, and non-merchantable species. Always clarify which volume measure is being used in timber sale calculations.
Average volume per tree can be obtained from: (1) the Tree Volume Calculator using mean DBH and height with a form factor, (2) species-specific volume tables that give volume from DBH and height, (3) forest inventory data where sample trees are measured and individual volumes are averaged. For accuracy, measure a representative sample of trees across the size distribution.
Roboculator Team
The Roboculator Team explains calculations, planning tools, and practical formulas in clear language for real-life situations.
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