Estimating Standing Tree Volume

[ChrisN]

An old timer told me a thumb rule for estimating a tree's volume that's used in Connecitcut. It's "18inches DBH" = one cord. In other words a standing tree with a diameter of 18" at chest height will yield about 1 cord of wood. Based on the last tree I took down, this seems reasonable to me.

 

[IK_biker]

Close enough for oak, hickory, maple.
Actually, depending on how you stack, the stacked volume may be a bit below. My experience is 18" diameter @ chest height gives you close to 0.9 cord.

Pine and poplar (thinner/smaller/fewer limbs) would be way off.

 

[bebopin]

I found this online. Table II. Firewood cutter’s rule of thumb.

Tree Size (diameter at breast height) Number of Trees Per Cord
5 = 46-55
6 = 21-33
7 = 14-18
8 = 9-14
9 = 6-9
10= 4-6
16= 2
22= 1

 

[WarmGuy]

(broken link removed to http://extension.unh.edu/Forestry/Docs/firewood.pdf)