Abstract

This paper traces the history of diameter at breast height (DBH) tree measurements in the United States and suggests that DBH is a socially constructed scientific standard. In 1899, Gifford Pinchot—arguably the most important forester in U.S. history—claimed that 4.5 feet (ft) (137 cm) was the customary height for measuring the diameter of a tree’s trunk, which then became the default height in the United States. However, based on my review of archival forestry texts, there was wide variation in the heights used to measure trees pre-1900. Furthermore, my analysis of male anthropometric datasets contradicts assertions that 4.5 ft is a comfortable measurement height for men. Rather, 4.5 ft was likely Pinchot’s own BH. The selection of 4.5 ft might have also resulted from a mis-conversion of Bavarian forestry data. I discuss the social context in which the 4.5 ft standard emerged.

摘要

本文追溯了美国胸高直径 (DBH) 树测量的历史，并表明胸高是一种社会构建的科学标准。1899 年，Gifford Pinchot——可以说是美国历史上最重要的林务员——声称 4.5 英尺 (ft) (137 cm) 是测量树干直径的习惯高度，后来成为美国的默认高度。然而，根据我对林业档案文献的回顾，1900 年之前用于测量树木的高度存在很大差异。此外，我对男性人体测量数据集的分析与 4.5 英尺是男性舒适的测量高度的说法相矛盾。相反，4.5 英尺可能是 Pinchot 自己的 BH。选择 4.5 英尺也可能是由于巴伐利亚林业数据的错误转换造成的。