Diameter at breast height

[4][5] In some countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, Burma, India, Malaysia, and South Africa, breast height diameter has historically been measured at a height of 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in), but because of much active research into allometrics that are being applied to trees and forests, the convention of 1.3 m (4.3 ft) is more appropriate[6].

[citation needed] Some authors have argued that the term DBH should be abolished because the heights at which the diameter is measured are excessively variable and imprecise, and imprecise measurements could strongly influence forestry calculations such as biomass.

Other ambiguous settings for determining the exact place where to measure the diameter is given in Dahdouh-Guebas & Koedam (2006).

The measure assumes the trunk has a circular cross-section and gives a directly converted reading of the diameter.

Electronic calipers are also available enabling highly accurate measurements to be taken and stored for further analysis.