Abstract
Even-aged pure forest stands of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. DON) and Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa ENDL.) were statistically stratified into upper and lower strata using the discriminant analysis method. The mean height of the stratified upper trees was defined as the "upper tree height (Hu)", and the relationship between Hu and mean tree height (Hm) was analyzed. A strongly positive correlation was observed between Hu and Hm, and well-fitting empirical equations for Hm and Hu were derived for Japanese cedar stands as: Hu=1.091Hm (r=0.979) and for Japanese cypress stands as: Hu=1.056Hm (r=0.997). The upper strata in Japanese cedar and Japanese cypress stands were considered to be composed of 67% and 58% of the total number of trees, respectively. These equations or component ratios could be used in estimating upper tree height.
