Incorporating Crown Ratio into Taper Equations for Loblolly Pine Trees

Analyses were performed to ascertain the feasibility of incorporating crown ratio, with dbh and total height, into taper equations for loblolly pine trees from unthinned plantations. Crown ratio was related to the parameter estimates in a simple quadratic taper model, to the join points in a segmented taper model, and to a single taper coefficient. The reduction in the error sum of squares due to adding crown ratio after dbh and total height was slight, and it was concluded that, in many cases, the inclusion of crown ratio as a predictor variable would not be warranted. Forest Sci. 31:478-484.