How many conservation volunteers does it take to measure a tree? Part 2.

2012/09/16

Determined to make amends for the scientific shambles of New Year, a second attempt was made on the summer resi to measure Colin McLean's suggested Sequoiadendron. This was made all the more poignant by the sad news of his death, which had reached us on the first work day.

So it was back into the pinetum with the tape measure and stick with the aim of using both the 'stick and muddy puddle' method and Colin's strategy to measure the height of our tree. This time Willie and Greg were the designated Beautiful Assistants, and we all double- and triple-checked that we were eyeballing the correct treetop.

And the results? Ah yes. Well, Greg measured it at fifty-four metres with Colin's approach while I got forty-one metres using our original tactic. Hmm...it would seem that it's not as easy as it looks on paper. However, I notice that one can now download a clinometer app. Do you think I could smuggle that - and the accompanying smart phone - past the LCV Treasurer as 'forestry sundries' in time for our next trip to Scone?