Using Swedish Bark Gauge for thickness of bark ©

The Swedish Bark Gauge is a tool of small size and weight used for measuring the bark of Pinus and other "hard barked" trees.

Place the chisel end of the gauge against the bark and apply pressure to the handle until the chisel penetrates to the wood interface. The operator musty "feel" the change in pressure as the he / she attempts to push the chisel through the wood.

Onve the wood has been reached, push the flange against the bark and read the thickness from the scale.

Considerable experience is needed to ensure the chisel reaches the interface but is not pushed too far through the wood.

Some points on procedure:

• avoid twisting the gauge when it is embedded in the tree - the chisel tip is easily fractured;
• for trees with rough and fissured barks, measure bark thickness on the ridges;
• ensure the flange of the gauge is flush with the bark before reading;
• if calipers are used for measuring diameter, measure bark thickness at the points of calipering;
• because bark thickness tends to vary from one side of a tree to another, take 3-4 readings around the stem and average.

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Document URL	http://online.anu.edu.au/Forestry/mensuration/BARK_G.HTM
Editor	Cris Brack ©
Last Modified Date	Fri, 9 Feb 1996