An Efficient Method in Diameter at Root Collar Measurement of Persian Oak Coppice Trees in Zagros Dry Forests, Iran

Diameter is such a notable characteristic in forest inventory that it is important to have a suitable method of its measurement, especially in coppice trees. This seems more important in Zagros forests that most of them are covered with coppice trees. So this research was aimed to find an efficient method in studying the diameter at root collar (DRC) of Persian Oak coppice trees as the most important species in Zagros forests. For this purpose, DRC by two methods, crown area and height and tree height were measured in 235 Persian Oak coppice trees. The results showed that the average of DRC by the first method (24.06±12.69 cm) was significantly different from the second method (13.03±7.22 cm) and it had higher significant correlation with other characteristics. Also the linear relation between DRC by two methods and other characteristics showed the higher significant correlation of the DRC measured with the first method. So it is concluded that the first method applied in this research is an efficient method in DRC studies in Persian Oak coppice trees of the study area. Also it can be recommended to assess this method in other coppice trees of Zagros forests and if proved, it can be applied to all coppice trees in Zagros forests.