1. What is the Doyle Scale?

The Doyle Scale is a rule for estimating the board foot volume of logs based on their diameter and length. It's commonly used in the forestry and lumber industry, particularly in the eastern United States.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Doyle Scale formula:

Where:

• \( D \) — Diameter inside bark at small end (inches)
• \( L \) — Length of log (feet)

Explanation: The formula calculates board feet by subtracting 4 inches from the diameter, squaring the result, then multiplying by length divided by 16.

3. Importance of Log Volume Calculation

Details: Accurate log volume estimation is essential for timber valuation, inventory management, and fair transactions between log sellers and buyers.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter diameter in inches (measured inside bark at small end) and length in feet. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why subtract 4 inches from the diameter?
A: This accounts for slab loss during the milling process where the outer portions of the log are removed to produce square-edged lumber.

Q2: How accurate is the Doyle Scale?
A: The Doyle Scale tends to underestimate volume for smaller logs and overestimate for larger logs compared to actual mill output.

Q3: Where is the Doyle Scale commonly used?
A: Primarily used in the eastern United States, particularly for hardwood logs.

Q4: Are there alternative log rules?
A: Yes, other common rules include Scribner, International 1/4-inch, and cubic volume formulas, each with different applications.

Q5: Should diameter be measured at small or large end?
A: For the Doyle Scale, diameter is typically measured at the small end inside the bark.