Which statement is true about CAI given the definitions?

• A. CAI equals growth from the previous year
• B. CAI equals total growth over the stand life
• C. CAI equals mean annual increment
• D. CAI equals growth in the current year

Answer: (D)

CAI, or Current Annual Increment, is the amount of growth that occurs in the present year for a tree or stand. It measures the change from the end of last year to the end of this year in height, diameter, or volume. This is different from growth in the previous year (that would be last year’s increment), and from total growth over the stand’s life (the sum of all yearly increments). It also differs from mean annual increment, which is the total growth divided by the stand age. So the statement that CAI equals the growth in the current year is the true one.