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How to Calculate a Tree's Canopy Size

Trees provide numerous benefits that improve quality of life. As they respire, they remove carbon dioxide from the air. Their leaves, branches and roots catch and absorb water, reducing flooding and improving water quality. The benefits that trees offer are directly proportional to the tree's canopy size. Many states and municipalities require that projects and developments result in no canopy loss. To determine how many trees to plant to make up for canopy removed, the trees' canopies must be calculated.

Instructions

- 1
  Read regulations and criteria to determine whether they specify surface area or volume calculations for the tree canopy.
- 2
  Navigate to a tree canopy calculator, such as TreeWorld.info, in a Web browser.
- 3
  Select the type of calculation, surface area or volume, that is required, using the drop-down menu.
- 4
  Choose the canopy shape that most nearly matches the canopy shape of the trees that were removed. Select from ellipse, domed, sphere, cylinder and cone shapes.
- 5
  Enter the radius of the tree for the shape selected. Consult the illustrations to determine where to take the measurement. For example, find the radius of a cone-shaped tree by measuring from the trunk to the tip of the lowest leaf-bearing branch.
- 6
  Enter the height or minor radius measurement of the tree if you selected an ellipse, cylinder or cone shape. Take the height measurement from the lowest leaf-bearing branch to the tip of the tree. Find the minor radius of an ellipse-shaped canopy by measuring from the trunk to the tip of a leaf-bearing branch in the middle of the canopy.
- 7
  Press "Calculate." Read the result and record the type of calculation used, as well as the units given with the result.

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