The volume table uses which measurements to estimate volume?

• A. The volume table uses diameter and length to estimate volume.
• B. The volume table uses height and diameter.
• C. The volume table uses length and moisture.
• D. The volume table uses diameter and moisture.

Answer: (A)

Volume is estimated by treating a log as a cylinder, so its size comes from cross-sectional area and how long the log is. The cross-sectional area depends on the diameter, and the length is how far the log extends. Combine those two measurements to get the volume. Height of the tree isn’t used for this calculation, since it doesn’t define the single log’s size. Moisture affects weight and density more than the geometric volume, though it can be adjusted for in other contexts. So diameter and length together give the best estimate of volume in standard volume tables.