Tree height represents the vertical structure of a forest. It is a widely used parameter to assess the site quality and stand productivity for forest management decision. To obtain a mean height of a tropical forest stand, a common method in forest inventory is to measure the diameter at breast height (DBH) of all trees, but to measure tree height only for a subsample. Because the DBH and the tree height are linked through mechanical constraints of tree form, a regression equation can be developed to predict the height of all trees which are not measured, and the mean tree height of a stand can be calculated.
The photo below shows the DBH and (total) height of a number of trees in the Biiso forest, Uganda.

Step by step to calculate the mean height of the forest stand shown on the next page.