<p>A "highly tapering stem" is simply that the trunk of the tree is less cylindrical and more conical in profile. It's a problem because while you may have a lot of timber <em>volume</em> you don't have as much timber that is <em>usable</em> because you'll end up with a higher proportion of sawmill waste.</p>

<p>I'm English and have a degree in forestry. Regardless of comments elsewhere, a "highly tapering stem" is perfectly good terminology, although I agree that it could be clearer. I would tend to say "a high degree of tapering" or a "more tapered stem" for clarity's sake.</p>

<p>A full description of this can be found in <a href="https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/research/forest-mensuration-a-handbook-for-practitioners/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Forest Mensuration: a handbook for practitioners</a> by Matthews and Mackie on page 114. (They refer to a tapering log, because they are discussing felled timber).</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-17T10:15:49.663Z
Yes, but based on my reference searches it's used in different, sometimes opposite meanings. Sometimes it refers to trees that are thin and long, sometimes it refers to trees that are wide and short. Based on application, these can mean very different.
mavavilj
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-17T12:11:44.173Z
it describes the difference between stem diameter at the bottom of the tree, when compared to the top of the tree. Lots of taper mans that there's a big difference, less taper means a smaller difference. The length of the log may make the effect more pronounced, and this sort of thing is nearly always used when comparing with timber from similar species. does this make sense?
Will
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-17T08:52:44.110Z
2020-01-31T09:17:22.697Z
2020-01-31T09:17:22.697Z
Will
<p>It means that the tree is thick at the base, but rapidly becomes thinner as it ascends. The use of "stem" is anomalous. An Englishman would speak of 'a highly tapering trunk'. Stem is used when referring to much smaller plants.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-15T13:04:27.867Z
Use of "highly tapering stem", "high degree of taper" or similar expression in context of geography, geographic imaging, forestry.
mavavilj
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-15T13:09:18.800Z
"A high degree of taper" is correct English and means the same as "highly tapering trunk" or "rapidly tapering trunk".
Michael Walsby
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-15T13:14:43.220Z
In my particular reference "highly tapering stem" meant low steepness, i.e. that the change from larger diameter to smaller happens finely/slowly. Which is opposite to your meaning. Thus the meaning can be ambigious.
mavavilj
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-15T12:16:46.043Z
2020-01-15T12:16:46.043Z
Michael Walsby
<p>Trees: What does "highly tapering stem" mean?</p>

<p>Taper is a function measuring steepness of change in crown diameter when height increases upwards.</p>

<p>But "highly tapering" (sometimes also "high-degree of taper")? Is it "a large change in taper" (large steepness) or a "fine change in taper over a long height" (low steepness, but high fineness of change)?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-15T12:58:31.613Z
@ebv In my case yes, but is this question then always "context-sensitive"? In that case I'd say that "highly tapering" is not particularly clear wording.
mavavilj
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-18T21:01:56.167Z
Not "high"; *highly* : "to a high degree or level." Like, '*severely* tapered' - which has nothing to do with height; the only thing it speaks to is the differential between the circumference at the base and that of further up the trunk. Palm trees have a comparatively *higher taper* than oak trees; the fact that they're usually taller than oaks doesn't matter.
Mazura
<forest>
Trees: What does "highly tapering stem" mean?
mavavilj
# Trees: What does "highly tapering stem" mean?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-01-15)

Trees: What does "highly tapering stem" mean?

Taper is a function measuring steepness of change in crown diameter when height increases upwards.

But "highly tapering" (sometimes also "high-degree of taper")? Is it "a large change in taper" (large steepness) or a "fine change in taper over a long height" (low steepness, but high fineness of change)?

**Tags:** forest

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: @ebv In my case yes, but is this question then always "context-sensitive"? In that case I'd say that "highly tapering" is not particularly clear wording.  
> **username_1**: Not "high"; *highly* : "to a high degree or level." Like, '*severely* tapered' - which has nothing to do with height; the only thing it speaks to is the differential between the circumference at the base and that of further up the trunk. Palm trees have a comparatively *higher taper* than oak trees; the fact that they're usually taller than oaks doesn't matter.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2020-01-17. Score: 5

A "highly tapering stem" is simply that the trunk of the tree is less cylindrical and more conical in profile. It's a problem because while you may have a lot of timber *volume* you don't have as much timber that is *usable* because you'll end up with a higher proportion of sawmill waste.

I'm English and have a degree in forestry. Regardless of comments elsewhere, a "highly tapering stem" is perfectly good terminology, although I agree that it could be clearer. I would tend to say "a high degree of tapering" or a "more tapered stem" for clarity's sake.

A full description of this can be found in [Forest Mensuration: a handbook for practitioners](https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/research/forest-mensuration-a-handbook-for-practitioners/) by Matthews and Mackie on page 114. (They refer to a tapering log, because they are discussing felled timber).

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Yes, but based on my reference searches it's used in different, sometimes opposite meanings. Sometimes it refers to trees that are thin and long, sometimes it refers to trees that are wide and short. Based on application, these can mean very different.  
> **username_2**: it describes the difference between stem diameter at the bottom of the tree, when compared to the top of the tree. Lots of taper mans that there's a big difference, less taper means a smaller difference. The length of the log may make the effect more pronounced, and this sort of thing is nearly always used when comparing with timber from similar species. does this make sense?  

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### Answer by username_3 on 2020-01-15. Score: -1

It means that the tree is thick at the base, but rapidly becomes thinner as it ascends. The use of "stem" is anomalous. An Englishman would speak of 'a highly tapering trunk'. Stem is used when referring to much smaller plants.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Use of "highly tapering stem", "high degree of taper" or similar expression in context of geography, geographic imaging, forestry.  
> **username_3**: "A high degree of taper" is correct English and means the same as "highly tapering trunk" or "rapidly tapering trunk".  
> **username_0**: In my particular reference "highly tapering stem" meant low steepness, i.e. that the change from larger diameter to smaller happens finely/slowly. Which is opposite to your meaning. Thus the meaning can be ambigious.  

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