A diameter increment model for Red Fir in California and Southern Oregon

Periodic (lO-year) diameter increment of individual red fir trees in Califomia and southern Oregon can be predicted from initial diameter and crown ratio of each tree, site index, percent slope, and aspect of the site. The model actually predicts the natural logarithm ofthe change in squared diameter inside bark between the start and the end ofa 1O-year growth period. To estimate diameter increment, the predicted value is converted to a change in diameter outside bark. Data used to develop the model came from 1500 tree samples from 56 young-growth stands in the study area. Coefficients forthe log-linear model were obtained using least-squares linear regression.