How to Use a Clinometer to Measure Tree Height

You can use a clinometer to measure the height of a tree by sight.

Clinometers are used to measure the heights of objects, such as trees, by sight. They work based on the geometry of triangles and require only that you look through a lens and read a scale printed on it. Different clinometers will measure in different scales; you might find metric clinometers as well as ones that use English units. Each clinometer is calibrated to work from a specific distance, so you will have to read about yours to learn some of the details necessary to use it properly.

Things You'll Need

• Clinometer

Instructions

1. Read your clinometer's manual to learn the distance from which it is calibrated to measure an object's height. Your clinometer might, for example, be calibrated to measure objects from a distance of 20 meters.

2. Stand the appropriate distance away from the tree whose height you wish to measure. Face the tree with your clinometer in your hand.

3. Raise the clinometer to your face and look through its lens with one eye. Close your other eye. If you see a leveling bubble through the lens or elsewhere on the clinometer, be sure it is level before you take any measurements.

4. Point the clinometer at the top of the tree you are measuring and read the number indicated on the clinometer's scale. For example, it might read "10 meters."

5. Point the clinometer at the bottom of the tree you are measuring and read the number indicated on the clinometer's scale. For example, it might read "2 meters."

6. Subtract the smaller smaller number from the larger number to obtain the height of the object.

   Example: 10 meters - 2 meters = 8 meters (the height of the tree).

References

• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: Using a Clinometer