When TRESA directors were out and about looking at trees in our area, we struggled to think of a way of measuring the height of a large tree, but the National Trust have recently given this useful guide. So if you see any TRESA members or directors looking backwards between their legs, you’ll know what they are up to! Why not give it a go with your favourite Totterdown tree, and let us know how you got on.
The simple premise is that if you view a treetop from a 45-degree angle, the height of the tree is equivalent to the distance you are away from it.
You’ll need: • Tree • Person (with flexibility) • Piece of chalk • Measuring tape
Step 1
Walk away from your tree, but at regular intervals bend forward and look through your legs back towards your tree.
Step 2
Continue doing this until you can just see the top of the tree. We made sure that we did lots of warm-up stretches before attempting this!
Step 3
Measure the distance along the ground from your back to the tree. We marked the spot in chalk before getting out the tape measure.
Step 4
The distance you have measured is roughly equal to the tree’s height.