Which instrument is used to measure the diameter of a tree and includes board foot tables?

The Biltmore Stick is specifically designed for measuring the diameter of trees and includes board foot tables that facilitate the calculation of timber volume. This instrument is a simple, straight piece of wood or plastic marked with specific calibration lines, allowing users to easily estimate the diameter at breast height (DBH) by aligning the stick with the tree trunk from a predetermined distance. It helps foresters and land managers assess tree size and calculate potential timber yield.

In contrast, while a clinometer is used for measuring tree height or slope, and measuring tape is useful for a range of measurements, including tree diameter, it does not inherently provide the board foot volume calculations. A prism is used primarily for forest inventory to determine tree density but does not measure diameter directly nor does it include board foot tables. These distinctions clarify why the Biltmore Stick is the appropriate tool for the question posed.