DBH, Canopy Coverage, and Distance from Tree to Sapling of Silver Maple Trees at York University

Data from 20 random Acer saccharinum (Silver Maple) trees were collected from York University's woodlot, Danby Woods. Four traits were measured: diameter at breast height (dbh) of tree, canopy coverage, distance to sapling, and dbh of sapling. Dbh was measured in cm and rounded to the nearest whole cm using a 20m transect tape measure. Canopy coverage was calculated as the percentage of sky present subtracted from 100% determined by the researcher by making a square with index fingers and thumbs; holding it up above researcher's head toward canopy and looking through the square. Distance to sapling was measured from the outermost point of the tree closest to the sapling to the outermost point of the sapling closest to the tree using a 20 m transect tape measure held along the ground. Saplings were defined in this experiment as any Silver Maple tree shorter than or equal to twice the height of the researcher.