Oxfordshire Woodland Group

I saw a band fitted to an oak tree at Wytham Woods that had a spring device that allowed the band to expand as the tree grows. Presumeably this is an experimental tree growth measuring device.

Can anyone confirm how this works ? and where can I buy / obtain such a device ?

Chilterns

These gauges have an application in tree quality determination. When growing for high quality timber such as veneer, it is useful to try to maintain an even growth over a period of years, as measured in the sawmill as 'number of rings per inch'. In the wood these gauges could be used firstly to identify the top quality trees and secondly to provide an instant dbh reading (but only if the bands are made up using tape measure tapes). For the best trees, measurements would be useful in determining when to apply more thinning around the favoured crown to maintain growth within the desired limits. This is clearly impossible to achieve for large scale growers but possible for the small woodland owner/ enthusiast (... so lets make the most of it when the effects of woodland scale works for the small grower!).
If anyone is interested by these considerations, contact me at the Project office 01865 815427: I am gauging interest for developing and registering high quality stands of trees in Oxon.

I took another picture of the same oak tree almost two years after I took the first picture and then checked the measuring device which revealed that this big oak has expanded it's girth by almost exactly 1.5 inches in 2 years.

Note how the spring has expanded.

Chilterns