How Tall is That Tree?

If you've been to an Arlington Echo program before, you know we think trees are terrific! They provide food and shelter to living organisms, release oxygen into the atmosphere, reduce soil erosion, and trap carbon for longterm storage. It turns out trees are also really helpful for researchers in many different fields of science - and you can help be a part of that research!

Tree height is one of the most commonly used metrics to assess how well an ecosystem can support healthy tree growth. NASA satellites can do a pretty good job of estimating forest canopy height from space, but your measurements on the ground can be even more useful. This type of data helps scientists measure biomass and study how ecosystems store carbon.

For a deeper dive into this topic, check out the GLOBE Program Tree Science page.

This step is optional, but if you want to make your observations as accurate as possible (and who doesn't?!), follow these simple steps to measure your step length before heading outside to make observations.

1. Use a tape measure to map out a straight path of at least 20 feet. Make it an even number for easier math later on.

2. Allowing a few extra steps to get up to your normal walking speed, walk the entire path and count your steps along the way.

3. Divide the length of the path (in feet) by the number of steps, and that is your step length in feet. Multiply by 12 to calculate your step length in inches.

Example:

I mark a 20 foot straight line. It takes me 10 steps to walk the entire line. 20 / 10 = 2 feet. 2 feet x 12 = 24 inches. I have a 24 inch step length.

• Download The GLOBE Observer App and create your free Globe.gov account.

• Explore the embedded PDF to the left for a quick overview of how to make your own observations. You can also find detailed, step-by-step instructions on the GLOBE Observer Trees web page.

• Head outside to make your first tree measurement! Be sure to check out our safety tips and Be Prepared.

• Remember to enter your step length - the app will prompt you to do so before making your first measurement. The app has a typo and asks for your "stride length," but you really want to enter your step length.

• GLOBE Data Visualizer - See data uploaded by other community scientists all around the GLOBE. This web page includes a tutorial on how to use the GLOBE Data Visualizer, where all GLOBE data (including your observations!) can be found.

• Trees Resource Library - GLOBE provides an extensive list of videos, readings, and activities related to trees, forests, and how NASA uses satellite measurements of trees.