Estimating leaf area of Abieslasiocarpa across ranges of stand density and site quality

Abstract
For a given species, differences in the relation between leaf area and sapwood cross-sectional area at breast height have been attributed to the effects of varying stand density and site quality. When leaf area of Abieslasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt. is estimated as a function of sapwood cross-sectional area at breast height and distance from breast height to the midpoint of the crown, the apparent effects of stand density and site quality are eliminated. A comparison of these results with those for Pinuscontorta Dougl. suggests this model form should provide unbiased estimates of leaf area for a variety of species and stand conditions.