title: Dendrometer bands made easy: Using modified cable ties to measure incremental growth of trees.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dendrometer bands are a useful way to make sequential repeated measurements of tree growth, but traditional dendrometer bands can be expensive, time consuming, and difficult to construct in the field. An alternative to the traditional method of band construction is to adapt commercially available materials. This paper describes how to construct and install dendrometer bands using smooth-edged, stainless steel, cable tie banding and attachable rollerball heads. •
  
  
  RESULTS
  As a performance comparison, both traditional and cable tie dendrometer bands were installed on baldcypress trees at the National Wetlands Research Center in Lafayette, Louisiana, by both an experienced and a novice worker. Band installation times were recorded, and growth of the trees as estimated by the two band types was measured after approximately one year, demonstrating equivalence of the two methods. •
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This efficient approach to dendrometer band construction can help advance the knowledge of long-term tree growth in ecological studies.
authors.affiliation: Five Rivers Services, Inc., 700 Cajundome Boulevard, Lafayette, Louisiana 70506 USA.
authors.forename: Evelyn R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Anemaet
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center, 700 Cajundome Boulevard, Lafayette, Louisiana 70506 USA.
authors.forename: Beth A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Middleton
keywords: baldcypress; dendrometer band; diameter; growth increment