Wheels, Tapes & Calipers FAQ
What are tree calipers used for?
Tree calipers measure trunk diameter, which is the standard sizing measurement for nursery trees and the basis for dosing trunk injections and assessing growth. Accurate caliper measurement is essential in the nursery trade, where stock is sold and specified by caliper. For pricing, specifying, and treating trees, the caliper measurement is the key number, so accurate calipers matter.
What is a measuring wheel used for?
A measuring wheel rolls along the ground to measure distances quickly over long runs, ideal for estimating, laying out areas, and measuring paths where a tape is impractical. You walk the distance and read the total. For sizing properties, beds, and runs of hardscape or fencing, a wheel is far faster than pulling a tape across distance.
Why is trunk caliper the standard tree measurement?
Trunk caliper (diameter) gives a consistent, comparable measure of a tree's size that correlates with its age, value, and transplant requirements, which is why the nursery trade prices and specifies trees by caliper. It is more meaningful than height for these purposes. Measuring caliper accurately, at the standard height, ensures trees are sized and specified consistently across the trade.
How do I measure trunk diameter accurately?
Measure caliper at the standard height specified for the tree size, using calipers placed squarely across the trunk, and measure consistently since the measurement point affects the reading. Following the standard convention for where to measure gives a comparable, accurate caliper. Consistent technique matters, since measuring at the wrong height or angle gives a reading that misrepresents the tree's actual size.
What measuring tools does a landscape operation need?
Common measuring tools include tapes, measuring wheels, and calipers, each for different tasks: tapes for precise dimensions, wheels for long distances, calipers for trunk diameter. The right tool depends on what you measure. A complete kit covers the range, since sizing a property, laying out a bed, and specifying a tree each call for a different measuring tool.
Can measuring tools and calipers be ordered for an operation?
Yes. Wheels, tapes, and calipers are stocked in quantities for outfitting an operation with volume pricing by quote. Operations measuring properties, laying out work, and sizing nursery stock benefit from accurate, durable measuring tools matched to their tasks, since accurate measurement underlies estimating, layout, and specifying trees by caliper.
