Resources / Forestry / Stand uniformity
Forestry · Establishment · Quality

Stand uniformity

18% DBH CV

The spread of stem diameters across the stand, expressed as a coefficient of variation. A low figure means the trees are growing evenly; a high one means a wide gap between dominant and suppressed stems.

Worked example · DBH distribution · cm
mean 19 cm 10 14 18 20 24 28
DBH distribution · cm
The benchmark

Even-aged eucalypt pulp stands typically run a diameter coefficient of variation of 15–25%; tighter distributions carry fewer suppressed, unmerchantable stems.

Forest Products Commission WA ↗
What it signals

Uniformity drives harvest economics: a stand of even stems yields more merchantable tonnes per hectare and cuts faster with less waste. A widening distribution flags patchy establishment, competition or nutrition that is leaving trees behind.

Data required to calculate
DBH by measured stemcmStems measured per plotno.

Silo pulls each of these from the sources the operation already uses, and keeps the figure current automatically.

How to improve it
01

Start uniform — even seedling grade and consistent planting spacing.

02

Keep weed control even across the compartment, not just the edges.

03

Correct patchy soil fertility with targeted, mapped fertiliser.

Questions & answers

What is stand uniformity?

The spread of stem diameters across the stand, expressed as a coefficient of variation. A low figure means the trees are growing evenly; a high one means a wide gap between dominant and suppressed stems.

What data do you need to calculate stand uniformity?

You need: DBH by measured stem (cm), Stems measured per plot (no.). Silo pulls each of these from the sources the operation already uses and keeps the figure current automatically.

What is a good stand uniformity benchmark?

Even-aged eucalypt pulp stands typically run a diameter coefficient of variation of 15–25%; tighter distributions carry fewer suppressed, unmerchantable stems.

How do you improve stand uniformity?

Start uniform — even seedling grade and consistent planting spacing. Keep weed control even across the compartment, not just the edges. Correct patchy soil fertility with targeted, mapped fertiliser.

More forestry guides

All forestry KPIs →

See this KPI live for your own operation.

Connect the software, spreadsheets and records you already keep, and Silo keeps every benchmark on this page current automatically.

Book a demo