Free calculator
Tree Basal Area Calculator
Calculate a tree's basal area — the cross-sectional area of the trunk at standard height (1.4 m) — from its Diameter at Standard Height (DSH). Basal area is commonly used to compare tree size, estimate growth rate, and assess stand stocking.
Enter trunk diameter
Basal area
0.1963 m²
1963.5 cm²
Cross-section
Shaded area represents the trunk's cross-sectional (basal) area at standard height (1.4 m).
How basal area is calculated
Basal area equals π/4 multiplied by DSH squared (in metres), giving the area of a circle with that diameter. It's a simple but widely used proxy for a tree's overall size and vigour.
Where it's used
Basal area is often recorded alongside DSH and canopy spread in a Tree Inventory, and used across multiple trees to compare stand density or track growth between inspection cycles.