Day 2: Determing Baord Foot

Elkview, WV

Determining board foot is a great way to bring the relevance of math into the classroom. During our lunch break I was able to identify a walnut tree and determine board of a pin oak.

Pin Oak

Determining Board Foot

Using the previous post as a guide I want you to determine the board foot of tree in your neighbor hood. Just follow the procedures listed and in no time you will able to determine if the tree is worth cutting down and taking to market. Click here to see the data that I have collected from determining board foot.

Procedures:

1. Identify a species of a tree and using your tablet determine the top (usable height of the tree) and bottom (bottom of the tree) slope using a clinometer. You must be standing 66 feet back from the base of the trunk.
2. Obtain the circumference of the tree with a flexible tape measure.
3. Perform the calculations as listed in the table to determine board feet and tree value.
4. Use current market prices for lumber per board foot.