The use of a laser rangefinder to measure trees – accuracy analysis

Abstract

Te paper presents results of the assessment of usefulness of the LaserAce 300 to measure position (horizontal distance and azimuth) and height of trees in stands. Test measurements were made in two variants – with the instrument mounted on a pole and „from hand”. Trees and elements of building elevation were measured. The assessment of accuracy (repeatability) of results was based on two measurements of the objects analyzed. Differences in observations were considered as true errors of the differences and on this basis measurement accuracy was estimated. Measurements made from a pole were of higher accuracy. However, the accuracy achieved in case of measurements „from hand” may be also considered satisfactory from the point of view of the needs of forest documentation for test areas.