how do you determine the height of a tree without actually measuring it, without fancy equipment,?

Question

I am cutting a tree down that has died and want to make sure it wont land on any wires or buildings

Answer 1

Put a stick with known height vertically in earth and measure its shadow. At the same time measure the length of the tree's shadow. Then follow the formula:
Tree= (Tree shadow X Stick)/Stick Shadow

Answer 2

Is task hypothetical or will you have to do it...? Create a rainbow: With the tree in front of you. Whilst a fine mist is sprayed and the sun is at your back step away until the red component of the artificial rainbow aligns with the top of the tree, place a marker on the ground at this location, then step further back placing a marker when the blue component of the rainbow aligns with the brim of the tree. Apply trigonemtry to calculate the tree height noting that when the red component is aligned the angle is approx. 41 degrees and when the blue component aligns the angle is 42 degrees. You'll need to measure the distance between the markers though what size of feet do you have or be inventive :-). Use statistics: Plant many Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos L.) trees in dakota, statistically knowing that in dakato they grow at 49 cm per year. Wait some months, determine the mean height, then pick your tree and measure the ratio of its height to your mean height. Alternatively, cut the tree down and use dendrochnology to measure its age then use stats to guess the height from known growth rates. Moon Measurement: The moon moves at 0.5 degrees per hour, can you use this in a clever way! Star mesurement: How fast do the stars move across the hemisphere, can you use this, are you allowed to know the time! Change in height - how accurate do you want it!? Is the height constant at day and night does thermal expansion of the wood change the height - will you factor this in, will your teacher!! p.s. if a practical task, i'd reckon shadows are your best bet.

Answer 3

Man- its been a long time but I think you can create a Tri Angle using the shadow and calculate the height, but most all tree Removal people will top the tree, that is cut off the top part with a person pulling on it, so it will fall free of you- if any doubt remains, cut it again, as the other guy posted here.

Answer 4

Hopefully wht the people above say with the equations is correct. Assuming that they are, make sure you take into an account whether or not the tree leans one way or another. If it is leaning in the direction of the shadow make sure you can estimate how many feet it is leaning from the Base of the tree. Add that amount to the total height. If its leaning opposite direction of its shadow then subtract that length from the tree.

Answer 5

Well you're in luck because June 21st is the day of the Summer Solstice! Find out your latitude and subtract it from 113.5 degrees. This is the angle of elevation of the sun at noontime. (I'm assuming you're in the USA).

Now look at the shadow of that tree at noontime on June 21. Measure the length of that shadow when it is the SHORTEST (sometime between 11am and 1pm). Now plug this into your calculator:
length of shadow * Tan(angle of elevation of the sun) = height of the tree

Voila! Impress your buddies with your mathematical prowess. Earn the respect and admiration of all!

Answer 6

Easiest way is by land marks. Telephone poles are usually 40 to 50 feet tall. Most houses are two stories. So from the tip of the gable to the ground is also about 40 feet. So if you have a good eye. Just eye ball it in

Answer 7

Stand up and measure your own shadow, at the same time measure tree shadow, than follow this Formula: Tree = Your height / your shadow x tree shadow.

Answer 8

cut the tree down in 5 ft. sections, that is usually a manageable size , remember to tie the sections to the tree itself so that you can lower it safely.

Answer 9

clear the area where it would fall cars furniture piece work small section the skinny branches first than the trunk if you can get some help and a long rope to guide or pull the falling pieces away from objects

Answer 10

If you go to 'Ask Dr Math' Archives You can find all the instructions and diagrams on how to find out how to get the answer to your question. this site will take you to the main page. Do your search and then you will have the answer.