Standing Timber Calculator
Estimate board feet for standing trees. Enter DBH (diameter at breast height) and merchantable height to get Doyle, Scribner, and International 1/4" estimates.
Single Tree Estimate
Enter DBH and merchantable height above.
Stand Cruise (Multiple Trees)
Add tree entries to estimate total stand volume. Use this for small woodlot cruises or before-sale timber estimates.
| DBH (in) | Height (ft) | Count | Doyle (BF) | Scribner (BF) | Int'l 1/4" (BF) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | — | — | — | |||
How this calculator works
This tool estimates board feet in standing timber using three standard US log scaling rules. It requires two inputs per tree:
- DBH — diameter at breast height, measured 4.5 feet above the ground on the uphill side of the tree, over bark.
- Merchantable height — the height of usable trunk to the first major fork, a minimum top diameter of 4 inches, or any other limiting defect.
The calculator converts DBH to an estimated small-end diameter inside bark (DIB) by subtracting 2 inches (1 inch bark per side — a common default). Actual bark thickness varies by species and age; field measurements will be more accurate. The merchantable height is divided into 16-foot log sections to compute volumes.
Which log rule should I use?
Use whichever rule your buyer, state forestry agency, or timber sale contract specifies. In practice:
- Doyle — common in Appalachia and the Southeast. Underestimates small-diameter logs significantly.
- Scribner Decimal C — used by the USDA Forest Service and common in the Pacific Northwest.
- International 1/4" — the most accurate rule for most diameters; common in the Northeast and Midwest.
→ Full guide: Log Rules Explained
Disclaimer
These are estimates only. Actual recoverable board feet depend on log form, taper, defects, sweep, and sawmill recovery. For formal timber sales, hire a licensed consulting forester who can walk the land, cruise the stand properly, and ensure fair market value.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DBH in forestry?
DBH stands for Diameter at Breast Height — the standard tree measurement taken at 4.5 feet above ground level on the uphill side of the tree, measured outside the bark. It is the primary input for estimating standing timber volume.
How do I measure merchantable height?
Merchantable height is the length of usable trunk from the stump to the first major fork, a minimum top diameter of 4 inches, or any defect that limits usable timber. It is measured in feet and typically expressed as a number of 16-foot log sections.
Why does this calculator give three different board foot estimates?
The three values correspond to three different log scaling rules — Doyle, Scribner Decimal C, and International 1/4-inch. Each uses a different formula to estimate sawn lumber yield from a round log. For most log sizes, Doyle gives the lowest estimate and International 1/4-inch gives the highest.
How accurate is a standing timber estimate?
These are rough estimates only. Actual recoverable board feet depends on log taper, sweep, crook, rot, and the specific sawmill's recovery rate. For formal timber sales, hire a licensed consulting forester to cruise the stand in person with proper sampling methods.