Phenotypic characteristics relating to tree size, canopy, trunk, branching, and flower colour, their descriptions, and the category or unit of measurement recorded for each Eucalyptus leucoxylon tree assessed. DBH (diameter at breast height).
Characteristic
Description
Categories/units
Tree height
Using a Silva® clinometer (Silva, Sandy, UT, USA), the top of the tree was sighted from a predetermined distance (usually 20 m) and the correlating angle recorded. Observer height and ground slope were accommodated.
(m)
DBH
Measured at 1.3 m
(mm)
Canopy spread
Average of canopy spread in a north-south and east-west direction
(m)
Canopy density
Estimated by looking from below through the canopy
1. < 20%
2. 21% to 40%
3. 41% to 60%
4. 61% to 80%
5. > 81%
Canopy shape
Canopy shape
1. Rounded
2. Broadly round
3. Oval
4. Pyramidal
5. Vase
Evenness
Estimated for both canopy (density evenness) and branches (radial evenness)
1. Even
2. Minor unevenness
3. Severely uneven
Number of main branches
Number of branches holding the majority of the canopy
1. One branch (single stem)
2. 2 branches
3. 3 branches
4. 4 branches
5. 5 + branches
Dominant leader
Does the tree have a dominant leader?
Yes/no
Main branch position
The height to the first main (lower order) branch, including missing branches. Can be measured either manually or with a clinometer.
(m)
Flower colour
Flower colour was described using the known flower colours for E. leucoxylon.
1. Red
2. Dark pink
3. Light pink
4. Orange
5. Yellow
6. White
7. Bicolour
Trunk taper
The taper as a ratio between the DBH at 1.3 m and the base of the trunk
DBH:diameter at base
Trunk straightness
The amount of twisting and kinks present in the main trunk
1. Very straight
2. Reasonably straight
3. Bark twisted, moderately straight
4. Trunk moderately kinked and twisted
5. Trunk severely kinked and twisted
Trunk lean
Categories are independent of trunk straightness.
1. No lean
2. Minor lean
3. Major lean
4. Extreme lean
Live crown ratio
When observing the full tree profile, the proportion of height which has live crown is deemed the live crown ratio.