How to Tell How Tall a Tree Is
According to the International Society of Arboriculture, trees have lived on Earth longer than any other organism. The oldest trees in the world, the Bristlecone pines, have existed for 4,600 years in the United States. Even more remarkably, the tallest tree in the world measures more than 360 feet. If you have ever wondered how tall a tree stands in your own yard, with a little bit of math you can figure out the answer. If you know your own height, then you can determine the height of a tree. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Pick a sunny day to perform the measuring process. After all, you need the sun in order to see shadows, so choose the brightest day possible.
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Measure the distance from the base of the tree trunk to the end of the tree's shadow. Use a measuring tape and carry a notebook and a pencil to write your findings. The longer the measuring tape, the better. Measuring tapes come in all sizes, some of the longest tape measures stretch to 300 feet.
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Stand next to the base of the tree trunk and measure the length of your own shadow using the measuring tape. You will probably need some assistance with this measurement, so ask a friend to help you. Write the measurement in your notebook.
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Multiply the length of the tree's shadow by your own height. In other words, if the length of the tree's shadow is 30 feet and you're five feet tall, the equation would look like this: 30 x 5= 150.
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Next, divide the result of the above equation by the length of your shadow. So, if the length of your shadow is 10 feet, then the next part of the equation should look like this: 150 ÷ 10= 15. Therefore, the tree in question has a height of 15 feet.
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Tips & Warnings
Always stand on level ground when you perform your measurements.
