Natural sway frequencies and damping ratios of trees: influence of crown structure

Natural frequency and damping ratio were measured for nine plantation-grown Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii Mirb. Franco) trees from the Oregon Coast Range under different levels of crown removal. Natural frequency of trees, in both their unpruned and completely de-branched states, was linearly related to the ratio of diameter at breast height to total tree height squared (i.e., DBH/H²), as expected from the theory governing the oscillation of a cantilever beam. Pruning resulted in an increase in natural frequency; however, at least 80% of the crown mass needed to be removed before this increase was noticeable. A single equation was developed that enabled the natural frequency of a tree of given size and pruning intensity to be predicted. Damping ratios of unpruned trees varied considerably from 8% to almost critical, while those for completely de-branched trees ranged from 1% to 8%. Two different trends in damping ratio were observed during pruning. Some trees exhibited an increase in damping ratio with initial crown removal, followed by a sharp decrease when the uppermost portion of the crown was removed. Others showed little or no change in damping ratio followed by a sharp reduction upon removal of the uppermost portion of the crown. Damping was mainly due to aerodynamic drag and preventing interference with neighbouring trees had little effect. Theoretical analysis using the finite element method indicated that changes in natural frequency as a result of pruning are not due to changes in damping ratio, but rather changes in mass distribution. This analysis also suggested that treating branches as lumped masses rather than individual cantilevers attached to the main stem may not be appropriate.     

Natural frequencies and damping ratios of Norway spruce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea abies</Emphasis> (L.) Karst) growing on subalpine forested slopes

We investigated the natural frequencies and damping ratios of 24 Norway spruce trees (Picea abies (L.) Karst) growing on subalpine forested slopes using swaying experiments. Trees were winched to the release position using a manually operated cable winch. Before release, the stem base rotation was approximately 2 degrees. All trees were tested in both fall-line and cross-slope direction if possible to reveal the difference between the two perpendicular directions. A new method based upon the Hilbert transformation for evaluating the damping ratio for trees was used. It enabled us to investigate the damping ratio for all excited modes of vibration in the tree structure during the swaying experiments and to study if velocity proportional damping (viscous damping) is a reasonable assumption when predicting the tree response to different external actions using mechanical models. No difference in first natural frequency and damping ratio was found between the fall-line and cross-slope direction for all tested trees. The first natural frequencies correlated best with the diameter at breast height and squared total tree height DBH/H ². For the damping ratio, no significant correlation with different tree characteristics could be found. A non-velocity proportional damping ratio was observed for two trees. This indicates that using a viscous damping for all frequencies is an appropriate simplification when modelling the wind-tree interaction.     

Mid-successional stand dynamics in a cool-temperate conifer-hardwood forest in northern Japan

Stand dynamics was studied over 13 years in a cool-temperate conifer-hardwood forest, northern Japan. A total 30 hardwood species and one conifer, Abies sachalinensis, larger than 1.5 cm DBH were recorded. The total stand density was 1677 trees ha⁻¹ at the beginning, decreasing to 1184 trees ha⁻¹ (30% reduction) over the study period, but the total stand basal area was almost unchanged (about 49 m² ha⁻¹). This large reduction in total density was mainly due to the death of saplings and infrequent recruitment. Number of recruits gradually decreased with time, while that of dead trees was constant. Cause of death of small trees was mainly due to suppression by tall trees. Skewness of the DBH frequency distribution varied among the species. A less skewed frequency distribution (i.e., few number of saplings) was shown by shade-intolerant species such as Populus maximowiczii and Betula maximowicziana, and a more skewed frequency distribution (i.e., large number of saplings) by shade-tolerant species such as Acer mono and Tilia japonica. DBH frequency distribution changed to less skewed patterns with reduction of density in most species during the census period. Rank of shade tolerance positively correlated with tree density and skewness, and negatively correlated with mean DBH. Skewness also positively correlated with recruitment rates. Furthermore, rank of shade tolerance positively correlated with seed size. These results suggest that shade-intolerant species regenerated immediately after disturbances by wide dispersal of small seeds, but their recruitment was interrupted after that. By contrast, shade-tolerant species were able to recruit even after the ceasation of recruitment of shade-intolerant species, but suffered severe mortality due to the increasing shading with the progress of stand development. This study suggests that the stand is still developing, with changes in species composition and size structure, and that species differences in shade tolerance and seed size are important for the stand structural changes.     

Genetic variation in basic density and modulus of elasticity of coastal Douglas-fir

Douglas-fir trees from 39 open-pollinated families at four test locations were assessed to estimate heritability of modulus of elasticity (MOE) and basic density. After trees were felled, sound velocity was measured on 4-m logs with the Director HM200. Disks were taken to estimate dry and green wood density; dynamic MOE was estimated as green density × (sound velocity)². Heritability estimates of MOE (across-site h ²=0.55) were larger than those for total height (0.15) and diameter at breast height (DBH; 0.29), and similar to those for density (0.59). Negative genetic correlations were found for MOE with height (r _A=−0.30) and DBH (r _A=−0.51), and were similar to those found for density with height (r _A=−0.52) and DBH (r _A=−0.57). The partial correlations of height with MOE and density, while holding DBH constant, were positive, implying that the observed negative correlations between height and the wood properties were a function of the high positive correlation between height and DBH and the strong negative correlations between DBH and the wood properties. Taper [DBH/(height−1.4)] was found to be negatively associated with MOE. Selection for MOE may produce greater gains than selection for density because MOE had a larger coefficient of additive variation (9.6%) than density (5.1%). Conversely, selection for growth may have a more negative impact on MOE than density because of the greater genetic variation associated with MOE. Family mean correlations of the wood quality traits with stem form and crown health were mostly nonsignificant.     

Variation of specific leaf area and upscaling to leaf area index in mature Scots pine

Reliable and objective estimations of specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf area index (LAI) are essential for accurate estimates of the canopy carbon gain of trees. The variation in SLA with needle age and position in the crown was investigated for a 73-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stand in the Belgian Campine region. Allometric equations describing the projected needle area of the entire crown were developed, and used to estimate stand needle area. SLA (cm² g⁻¹) as significantly influenced by the position in the crown and by needle age (current-year versus 1-year-old needles). SLA increased significantly from the top to the bottom of the crown, and was significantly higher near the interior of the crown as compared to the crown edge. SLA of current-year needles was significantly higher than that of 1-year-old needles. Allometric relationships of projected needle area with different tree characteristics showed that stem diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height and crown depth were reliable predictors of projected needle area at the tree level. The allometric relationships between DBH and projected needle area at the tree level were used to predict stand-level needle area and estimate LAI. The LAI was 1.06 (m² m⁻²) for current-year needles and 0.47 for 1-year-old needles, yielding a total stand LAI of 1.53.     

Population dynamics of coniferous and broad-leaved trees in a Japanese temperate mixed forest

The growth and survival of coniferous and broad-leaved trees were followed over a 5-yr period in a temperate old-growth mixed forest in Japan, and dynamic features of the forest were studied in relation to the life history of the dominants, the coniferous Abies homolepis and the broad-leaved Fagus crenata. During this period, the gap formation rate was 31m² ha^?1yr^?1, the mortality of trees > 2m high was 1.7%/yr, and the rate of loss in basal area 1.4%/yr. These values were much higher than the recruitment, 0.3%/yr, and the total growth of surviving and new trees, 0.6%/yr, owing to the inhibition of regeneration by understorey dwarf bamboo (Sasa borealis). A transition matrix model based on DBH size classes predicts that the basal area of the forest will decrease by 14% in 50 yr, but that the DBH distribution of trees > 10 cm diameter will change little. Equilibrium DBH distributions assuming recruitment being equal to mortality, were quite different between broad-leaved and coniferous trees, reflecting different survivorship curves of the two dominants. The composition and structure of the forest may change depending on the pattern and frequency of disturbances, or episodic events, notably the synchronous death of Sasa borealis.     

The effect of wind exposure on the tree aerial architecture and biomechanics of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis, Pinaceae)

This paper reports on the effect of wind loading below damaging strength on tree mechanical and physical properties. In a wind-exposed Sitka spruce stand in western Scotland, 60 trees at four different levels of wind exposure (10 m, 30 m, 50 m, 90 m from edge) were characterized for stem and crown size and shape and mechanical properties, including structural Young's modulus (E(struct)), natural frequency, and damping ratio. E(struct) increased from the stand edge to the mid-forest, but with a large inter-tree variation. Swaying frequency and damping ratio of the trees also increased with distance from edge. Wind-exposed edge trees grew shorter, but more tapered with an overall lower E(struct), allowing for greater flexural stiffness at the stem base due to the larger diameter and for higher flexibility in the crown region of the stem. The trees at the middle of the stand compensated for their increased slenderness with a higher E(struct). Thus, for the different requirements for wind-firmness at stand edge and mid-forest, an adapted combination of tree form and mechanical properties allows the best withstanding of wind loads. The results show the requirement to understand the different strategies of trees to adapt to environmental constraints and the heterogeneity of their growth reactions in response to these strategies.     

Dynamics of an old evergreen coppice in southwestern Japan with special focus on a typical coppice species (Castanopsis cuspidata) and a climax species (Distylium racemosum)

We investigated stand dynamics of an abandoned evergreen coppice (c.a. 100 years old) over the course of 21 years in south Kyushu, Japan. The study stand showed a change in species composition from being dominated by Castanopsis cuspidata to Distylium racemosum, that is, from a typical coppice species to a typical climax species of the region. However, the relative dominance of Castanopsis spp. appeared to remain very high in the study stand compared to that in the Aya Research Site, a typical old-growth forest in the region, due to abundant C. cuspidata canopy trees of coppice origin. This suggests that the species composition of the study stand remained distinct from that of climax forests in the region. On the other hand, D. racemosum did not show a significant change in diameter at breast height (DBH) class frequency distribution from 1996 to 2017, probably due to the slow growth of this species. However, generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to identify the factors affecting better DBH growth of this species in the gap, indicating the potential for further development of the population structure when small trees are released from suppression of canopy trees. This suggests, inversely, that the development of the D. racemosum population was heavily suppressed by abundant C. cuspidata canopy trees of coppice origin that survived to the age of nearly 100 years. Further, large typhoons are suggested to cause severe canopy disturbances that remove canopy trees of C. cuspidata, which might be important for promoting further forest succession, even for a nearly 100-year-old evergreen old coppice.

     

林木分化对兴安落叶松异速生长方程和生物量分配的影响

林木因对资源竞争而产生分化,从而影响林木的异速生长方程和生物量分配,但其影响程度还不清楚。采用林木相对直径法将38株兴安落叶松(Larix gmelinii)样木在林分中的分化等级分为优势木、中等木和被压木,量化林木分化对林木异速生长方程和生物量分配的影响。结果显示:生物量组分异速生长方程多以胸径(DBH)为自变量为好,但以枝下高处的树干直径为自变量估测其枝、叶生物量时更精确。在一定的胸径范围内,同一胸径下不同林木分化等级的地下部分各组分生物量没有显著差异(P0.05),但优势木分配更多的生物量给枝和叶,中等木比优势木分配更多的生物量给树干,中等木比被压木分配更多的生物量给地上部分,而且被压木和中等木的树高显著高于优势木。除根茎生物量之外,不同林木分化等级的生物量组分(包括枝、叶、树干和根系)的相对分配比例无显著差异(P0.05),根冠比保持相对稳定。这些结果表明,主要由竞争而引起的林木分化改变了兴安落叶松地上生物量组分的异速生长和分配,但其相对分配格局较为保守。     

Tradeoffs in basal area growth and reproduction shift over the lifetime of a long-lived tropical species

Understanding of the extent to which reproductive costs drive growth largely derives from reproductively mature temperate trees in masting and non-masting years. We modeled basal area increment (BAI) and explored current growth–reproduction tradeoffs and changes in such allocation over the life span of a long-lived, non-masting tropical tree. We integrated rainfall and soil variables with data from 190 Bertholletia excelsa trees of different diameter at breast height (DBH) sizes, crown characteristics, and liana loads, quantifying BAI and reproductive output over 4 and 6 years, respectively. While rainfall explains BAI in all models, regardless of DBH class or ontogenic stage, light (based on canopy position and crown form) is most critical in the juvenile (5 cm ≤ DBH < 50 cm) phase. Suppressed trees are only present as juveniles and grow ten times slower (1.45 ± 2.73 m² year^?1) than trees in dominant and co-dominant positions (13.25 ± 0.82 and 12.90 ± 1.35 m² year^?1, respectively). Additionally, few juvenile trees are reproductive, and those that are, demonstrate reduced growth, as do reproductive trees in the next 50 to 100 cm DBH class, suggesting growth–reproduction tradeoffs. Upon reaching the canopy, however, and attaining a sizeable girth, this pattern gradually shifts to one where BAI and reproduction are influenced independently by variables such as liana load, crown size and soil properties. At this stage, BAI is largely unaffected by fruit production levels. Thus, while growth–reproduction tradeoffs clearly exist during early life stages, effects of reproductive allocation diminish as B. excelsa increases in size and maturity.     

Pre-logging carbon accounts in old-growth forests,via allometry: An example of mixed-forest in Tasmania,Australia

Abstract

Uncertainty in past and future anthropogenic carbon emissions obscures climate change modelling. Available allometrics are insufficient for regional-level accounting of old-growth, pre-logging carbon stocks. The project goal was to determine the aboveground carbon (biomass and necromass) for a typical old-growth Eucalyptus delegatensis-dominated mixed-forest in Tasmania. Allometrics were developed for aboveground biomass of Eucalyptus delegatensis and generic rainforest understorey species. A total of 207 eucalypts with DBH 0.21–4.5 m, and 897 rainforest understorey trees with DBH 0.01–2.52 m were measured across 7.7 ha. DBH frequency distribution of E. delegatensis showed at least two age cohorts and distinct positive skew, whereas its DBH carbon distribution showed distinct negative skew. Half of the eucalypt biomass was from trees with DBH > 2.4(0.1) m, and 16% with DBH ≥ 3.5 m (from ～1.1 trees ha^?1) – indicating the importance of allometrics for high DBH. Aboveground carbon was 622(180) Mg ha^?1, with ～20% from understorey and ～25% from necromass. The carbon in aboveground biomass was above the median value for temperate forests. The long-term aboveground-carbon emissions from clearfelling the same forest type from 1999 to 2009 is likely to be 2.9(±1.3) Tg, depending on the growth and seral stages of the forest logged.     

Stand structure and regeneration in a Kamchatka mixed boreal forest

Abstract. A 1‐ha plot was established in a Betula platyphylla‐Picea ajanensis mixed boreal forest in the central Kamchatka peninsula in Russia to investigate stand structure and regeneration. This forest was relatively sparse; total density and stand basal area were 1071/ha and 25.8 m²/ha, respectively, for trees > 2.0 cm in trunk diameter at breast height (DBH). 25% of Betula regenerated by sprouting, and its frequency distribution of DBH had a reverse J‐shaped pattern. In contrast, Picea had a bimodal distribution. The growth rates of both species were high, reaching 20 m in ca. 120 yr. The two species had clumped distributions, especially for saplings. Betula saplings were not distributed in canopy gaps. Small Picea saplings were distributed irrespective of the presence/absence of gaps, while larger saplings aggregated in gaps. At the examined spatial scales (6.25–400 m²) the spatial distribution of Betula saplings was positively correlated with living Betula canopy trees and negatively with dead Picea canopy trees. This suggests that Betula saplings regenerated under the crowns of Betula canopy trees and did not invade the gaps created by Picea canopy trees. The spatial distribution of Picea saplings was negatively correlated with living and dead Betula canopy trees and positively with dead Picea canopy trees. Most small Picea seedlings were distributed under the crowns of Picea trees but not under the crowns of Betula trees or in gaps. This suggests that Picea seedlings establish under the crowns of Picea canopy trees and can grow to large sizes after the death of overhead Picea canopy trees. Evidence of competitive exclusion between the two species was not found. At a 20 m × 20 m scale both skewness and the coefficient of variation of DBH frequency distribution of Picea decreased with an increase in total basal area of Picea while those of Betula were unchanged irrespective of the increase in total basal area of Betula. This indicates that the size structure of Picea is more variable with stand development than that of Betula on a small scale. This study suggests that Betula regenerates continuously by sprouting and Picea regenerates discontinuously after gap formation and that the species do not exclude each other.     

川西米亚罗亚高山暗针叶林岷江冷杉和糙皮桦空间格局及其关联性分析

基于2019年9月完成的川西米亚罗亚高山暗针叶林9.6 hm~2动态样地的调查数据,分析了主要优势种岷江冷杉(Abies fargesii var.faxoniana)与糙皮桦(Betula utilis)的径级结构,并运用O-ring统计中的成对相关函数g(r)和g₁₂(r),研究了两个优势种的空间格局及其种内、种间的关联性。结果表明：岷江冷杉与糙皮桦径级分布连续,均呈倒“J”型。岷江冷杉与糙皮桦的不同径级个体主要呈现由聚集分布向随机分布发展的趋势。岷江冷杉的小树对幼树、中树对幼树、中树对小树以及大树对中树的种内相关性在所有空间尺度上均为显著正相关(P<0.05),而相同径级糙皮桦的种内相关性则表现为由显著正相关(P<0.05)逐渐向无显著相关(P>0.05)变化。随着空间尺度的增大,岷江冷杉的大树对幼树、大树和小树由无显著相关(P>0.05)逐渐向显著正相关(P<0.05)变化,糙皮桦的大树对幼树由显著负相关(P<0.05)逐渐向无显著相关(P>0.05)变化。岷江冷杉大树对糙皮桦所有径级个体的种间相关性主要呈现由为显...     

Stand Structure and Maintenance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea jezoensis</Emphasis> in a Northern Temperate Forest,South Korea

Stand structure and spatial distribution of Picea jezoensis (Siebold et Zucc.) Carrière on Mt. Gyebang, Korea was investigated to provide information on the structural characteristics and the maintenance of P. jezoensis population in northern temperate mixed coniferous forests. Height and diameter at breast height (DBH) distribution, age, growth, and spatial distribution patterns of P. jezoensis were examined in thirty nine 100-400 m² quadrats or circular plots. The overall stand structure attributes in the study sites are stem density of 709 trees ha⁻¹, a mean DBH of 12.8 cm, and a mean height of 5.6 m, with reverse J shapes of DBH and height distributions. The stem density of P. jezoensis population was 81 trees ha⁻¹, a mean DBH of 20.7 cm, and a mean height of 9.1 m, showing bimodal-like shapes in age and DBH distributions. Several growth release periods implied that P. jezoensis stands experienced small disturbances. The radius of patches of similar-sized P. jezoensis in the variogram was equivalent with the height of the tallest trees, indicating that patches were established following the fall of trees in the upper canopy layer. Small windthrows in this region contributed to the maintenance of the P. jezoensis stand by releasing sapling growth and providing nursing logs and space for seedlings.     

Structure of a pristine Picea abies forest in northeastern Europe

Abstract. The forest structure in a large, relatively homogeneous area of pristine Picea abies taiga in the southern boreal region west of the Ural mountains was studied along four 500-m long transects. P. abies dominated the forest in association with Abies sibirica and Betula spp. The mean volume of living trees was 216 m³/ha. This value varied among the four transects, from 138 - 252 m³/ha. Mean density of trees (DBH > 1 cm) (and variation over the transects) was 2 064/ha (1670 - 2710). Living trees classified as dying or seriously damaged made up 2.9 (2.5 - 3.5) % of the living tree volume. Betula was an important canopy component and made up 16% of the living tree volume. The number of dead standing trees varied from 195 - 325/ha, corresponding to a volume of 10.8 - 70.7 m³/ha. The density of trees with a broken stem was 90 - 170/ha and their estimated volume 7.6 - 41.3 m³/ha. Standing dead trees and trees with broken stems represented 10.4 and 8.9% of the total standing tree volume (living + dead), respectively. The mean volume of decaying logs on the forest floor was 117 (84.4–156.2) m³/ha, corresponding to 54 (35 - 113) % of the living tree volume. The canopy-forming trees were present in the understory as abundant saplings and suppressed individuals. The size distribution of the dominant tree species resembled the inverse J-shape. Generally, the forest was characterized by a high small-scale structural variation and a larger-scale relative homogeneity. This pattern is consistent with forest dynamics where the forest consists of a small-scale mosaic of patches in different stages of recovery following disturbance. Our results suggest that the ecology and dynamics of extensive areas of natural boreal forests can be driven by small-scale disturbance.     

基于地面LiDAR数据的塔里木河下游胡杨林结构参数反演

以塔里木河下游天然胡杨林为研究对象,利用Riegl VZ-1000型地面激光扫描仪(Terrestrial Laser Scanning, TLS)获取离河道不同距离的8个样方内513棵胡杨的三维点云数据,通过建立冠层高度模型、Hough变换等方法获取单木株数和结构参数,并与传统的每木检尺实测数据和无人机(Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, UAV)低空影像进行对比,验证激光雷达方法的测树精度;对TLS获取的胡杨树形参数进行相关性分析,并建立关系模型;探讨不同水胁迫条件(不同离河道距离,不同地下水埋深)对胡杨单木结构参数的影响;最后按不同径级划分胡杨的年龄,得出各龄级胡杨所占比例。结果表明:(1)TLS能够高精度获取不同密度和长势的胡杨单木株数和结构参数,单株准确分割比率为94%—100%,相对于UAV低空影像更为准确;(2)TLS获取的胡杨树高(Tree height,TH)、胸径(Diameter at breast height, DBH)、冠幅直径(Crown diameter,CD)和冠幅面积(Crown area,CA)与传统实测值拟合度R²     

基于树冠重叠面积的天然混交林林木竞争指数

构建基于树冠重叠面积和林木混交关系的竞争指数,探究天然混交林林分及主要树种竞争的表达方法,并以甘肃省小陇山林区锐齿槲栎天然混交林为研究对象,采用胸径、树高、冠幅、距离等信息的2期调查数据,对新构建的基于树冠重叠面积的天然混交林林木竞争(CIM)指数进行验证,并选取Spearman系数,对CIM竞争指数和传统竞争指数进行相关性分析。结果表明,采用树冠投影重叠和考虑树高关系确定竞争木的方法能有效避免竞争木多选或漏选; CIM1、CIM2、CIM3能够表达出混交林竞争压力变化,表现出竞争压力越大林木蓄积生长量越小的趋势,将树种混交因子引入竞争指数能够提高蓄积生长量与竞争指数的相关性,更加客观的描述林分中竞争状况。竞争指数与蓄积生长量相关性由大到小排序为CIM2>CIM3>CIM1>Bella竞争指数(CIO)>简单竞争指数(CI)>CIO2>CIO1,表明竞争指数 CIM2对混交林竞争表达更具参考意义。林分中主要树种锐齿槲栎由于相邻木中同树种相邻木增加,导致竞争压力增大。天然混交林中树种组成复杂多样,林木分布不均匀,在竞争指数中引入树种混交因子能够较为真实的反映林木竞争状况。     

Production ecology of CopaÍba (Copaifera spp.) oleoresin in the eastern brazilian Amazon

Oleoresin extracted from copaiba (Copaifera spp.: Leguminosae) trees is a popular traditional medicine in Amazonia. I studied production ecology from three copaiba types in the eastern Brazilian Amazon. Mean oleoresin yield from the first harvest was 0.07 liters per tree for all trees drilled and 0.23 liters per tree for ones yielding some oleoresin. Yields were comparable toC. multijuga results in central Amazonia but lower than anecdotal reports of 2 liters or more per tree. Yield differences were minor between tree types and seasons. Yield peaked in mid-size trees (45-65 cm DBH) while small (45 cm DBH), very large (>65 cm DBH), and hollow trees (due to senescence or fire) yielded negligible amounts. Oleoresin was harvested almost exclusively from inner heartwood, indicating that factors stimulating its synthesis in cambium are probably distinct from factors that promote its storage in heartwood and loss of yield many years later.     

How to map forest structure from aircraft,one tree at a time

Forest structure is strongly related to forest ecology, and it is a key parameter to understand ecosystem processes and services. Airborne laser scanning (ALS) is becoming an important tool in environmental mapping. It is increasingly common to collect ALS data at high enough point density to recognize individual tree crowns (ITCs) allowing analyses to move beyond classical stand‐level approaches. In this study, an effective and simple method to map ITCs, and their stem diameter and aboveground biomass (AGB) is presented. ALS data were used to delineate ITCs and to extract ITCs’ height and crown diameter; then, using newly developed allometries, the ITCs’ diameter at breast height (DBH) and AGB were predicted. Gini coefficient of DBHs was also predicted and mapped aggregating ITCs predictions. Two datasets from spruce dominated temperate forests were considered: one was used to develop the allometric models, while the second was used to validate the methodology. The proposed approach provides accurate predictions of individual DBH and AGB (R² = .85 and .78, respectively) and of tree size distributions. The proposed method had a higher generalization ability compared to a standard area‐based method, in particular for the prediction of the Gini coefficient of DBHs. The delineation method used detected more than 50% of the trees with DBH >10 cm. The detection rate was particularly low for trees with DBH below 10 cm, but they represent a small amount of the total biomass. The Gini coefficient of the DBH distribution was predicted at plot level with R² = .46. The approach described in this work, easy applicable in different forested areas, is an important development of the traditional area‐based remote sensing tools and can be applied for more detailed analysis of forest ecology and dynamics.