The Nerdy Tree - Process

Materials for Data Collection
High Resolution Digital Camera 180° Angle Measurement Ruler Standard Geometry-Kit Protractor 25-feet Measuring Tape Magnetic Compass Colour Computer Printer or Photograph Developer

Process for Data Collection
Find open-grown coniferous spruce trees in areas that receive sunlight consistently in Calgary, Alberta . Use the compass to determine magnetically which side of the tree is facing the south. Take pictures of the tree’s south side, with the pictures being detailed so that the branch angles can be clearly seen. Place the angle measurement ruler along the main trunk of the tree and to the area where it connects with the branch to determine several different branch angles along the tree. Not all the branch angles need to be calculated as they will be calculated later on using photographs. Using visual judgment, environmental surroundings and the overall appearance of the tree should be noted. Estimate the height of the tree by leaning the measuring tape along the tree and adjusting it until the approximate height is determined. Using the measuring tape, measure the lengths of the branches on the tree. Repeat this process for 19 other trees as well. Five trees should be measured from each quadrant of the city (NW, NE, SW, SE). They should be found in different areas to prevent bias. Use the protractor to measure additional angles of branches from the photographs.

Process for Data Collection

Find open-grown coniferous spruce trees in areas that receive sunlight consistently in Calgary, Alberta .
Use the compass to determine magnetically which side of the tree is facing the south.
Take pictures of the tree’s south side, with the pictures being detailed so that the branch angles can be clearly seen.
Place the angle measurement ruler along the main trunk of the tree and to the area where it connects with the branch to determine several different branch angles along the tree. Not all the branch angles need to be calculated as they will be calculated later on using photographs.
Using visual judgment, environmental surroundings and the overall appearance of the tree should be noted.
Estimate the height of the tree by leaning the measuring tape along the tree and adjusting it until the approximate height is determined.
Using the measuring tape, measure the lengths of the branches on the tree.
Repeat this process for 19 other trees as well. Five trees should be measured from each quadrant of the city (NW, NE, SW, SE). They should be found in different areas to prevent bias.
Use the protractor to measure additional angles of branches from the photographs.

Variables
Manipulated Variable: Different Trees and the Tree Environment – i.e. Four Different Map Quadrants in the City of Calgary (NW, NE, SW, SE) Responding Variables: Lateral and Sub-Lateral Branch Angles, Lateral and Sub-Lateral Branch Lengths, Approximate Tree Height, Amount of Bare Branch (due to shed needles) Controlled Variables: Measurement Methods (Angle Measurements, Protractor, Measuring Tape, etc.), Approximate Latitude-Longitude Location of Calgary (51°05' North, 114°05' West), Tree Species (Coniferous Spruce – Picea glauca), Morphologically Similar Tree Appearance This project is the intellectual property of Eden Full. Use of this information for one's own purposes is not permitted.

Variables

Manipulated Variable: Different Trees and the Tree Environment – i.e. Four Different Map Quadrants in the City of Calgary (NW, NE, SW, SE)
Responding Variables: Lateral and Sub-Lateral Branch Angles, Lateral and Sub-Lateral Branch Lengths, Approximate Tree Height, Amount of Bare Branch (due to shed needles)
Controlled Variables: Measurement Methods (Angle Measurements, Protractor, Measuring Tape, etc.), Approximate Latitude-Longitude Location of Calgary (51°05' North, 114°05' West), Tree Species (Coniferous Spruce – Picea glauca), Morphologically Similar Tree Appearance

This project is the intellectual property of Eden Full. Use of this information for one's own purposes is not permitted.