Smooth height/age curves from stem analysis with linear programming

Silva Fennica 40(2): 291–301

Stem analysis data defines a range of possible heights for each age. A smooth stem/age curve is obtained with linear programming (LP) when the sum of the absolute second differences of heights is minimized subject to constraints obtained from the stem analysis. The method is analogous to cubic splines. A LP problem can include additional constraints that are based on the assumption that the crosscut is randomly located within the annual height increment. The method produces smoother height curves than Issa method which is utilizing second order differences of ring counts. It was found using simulated data that the method provides better results than earlier methods for short bolts if height growth is sufficiently regular.

Keywords
spline, ring counts, second order difference, Issa, height growth

Addresses
Finnish Forest Research Institute, Suonenjoki Research Unit, Juntintie 154, FI-77600 Suonenjoki, Finland. E-mail juha.lappi@metla.fi

Received 11 May 2005 Accepted 20 March 2006
ISSN 0037-5330

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