Acquired: Caliper Measurement Tool For Tree Measurements

As part of my [garden diary], I've been working to keep annual logs of growth on some of the trees and shrubs including my tree height inventory.  Here is the link to the 2019 tree height inventory post.   And here's the one for 2018.  The reason I bring this up is that earlier this month, as part of doing a mid-Winter yard inventory, I posted about some Winter damage on our Flowering Cherry Tree in the backyard.  In that post, I lamented that my measurement(s) for some of the trees is becoming inaccurate because of their heights getting too tall to get a tape measure on properly.  

Welp...thanks to the miracles of e-commerce shopping, I'm now the proud owner of this Digital Caliper Measurement Tool that you can see below.  This one is just $8.99, so it isn't the most expensive or sophisticated caliper tool, but I'm thinking it will get the job done.

It is pretty easy to use and came with a couple of backup batteries.

As I mentioned in my 'front yard tree bud' post, with this caliper tool, I now have another way to watch the trees grow.

But, I know that a measurement tool like this is only as good as the user who puts the tool to work.   Meaning, I have to be good about being consistent in measuring the trees to get accurate reads.

A quick look around the Web turns up this Indiana DNR Forestry document called the "American Standard for Nursery Stock" that details how one is to measure trees.  In section 1.1.1.2 entitled "Methods of Caliper and Height Measurement" it calls out the right way to use this caliper tool:

(Highlight, mine)

On trees that are four inches or less in caliper, go up six inches from the ground and grab the measure.  Larger trees @ 12" above the ground.

Now, to go out in the yard and do a roundup of all the young tree caliper dimensions.