Tree Height by Caliper

Height/caliper relationship for shade trees…

A question we commonly receive concerns the height of a tree given its caliper. Of course, this varies based on the type of tree, growing conditions, etc., but there are standards on this issue. Here are the ranges you can expect for Type 1 shade trees, based on the 2004 American Standard for Nursery Stock:

Caliper	Average Height	Maximum Height
1/2 in.	4 to 5 ft.	6 ft.
5/8 in.	5 to 6 ft.	8 ft.
3/4 in.	6 to 8 ft.	10 ft.
1 in.	8 to 10 ft.	11 ft.
1 1/4 in.	8 to 10 ft.	12 ft.
1 1/2 in.	10 to 12 ft.	14 ft.
1 3/4 in.	10 to 12 ft.	14 ft.
2 in.	12 to 14 ft.	16 ft.
2 1/2 in.	12 to 14 ft.	16 ft.
3 in.	14 to 16 ft.	18 ft.
3 1/2 in.	14 to 16 ft.	18 ft.
4 in.	16 to 18 ft.	22 ft.
4 1/2 in.	16 to 18 ft.	22 ft.
5 in.	18 ft. and up	26 ft.

Caliper is read at 6 inches above ground level on trees of 4-inch caliper or less. On larger trees, caliper is read at 12 inches.

Type 1 shade trees are typically medium to fast growers and include many of the most popular shade trees. Examples include Acer rubrum, Acer saccharinum, Betula nigra, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Gingko biloba, Gleditsia triacanthos, Liriodendron tulipifera, Platanus occidentalis, Quercus macrocarpa, Quercus palustris, Quercus phellos, Salix, and Zelkova serrata.

Type 2 shade trees are slower growers than Type 1 and will not usually attain the same height measurement in relation to caliper. The height, however, should not be less than two-thirds the height relationship given for Type 1. Examples include Aesculus pavia, Cladastris lutea, Fagus, sylvatica, Koelreuteria paniculata, Liquidamber styraciflua, Magnolia grandiflora, Nyssa sylvatica, Quercus alba, Syringa reticulate, and Tilia cordata.