Wood density at breast height as estimate of the whole tree density in Grevillea robusta

To validate the relationship between whole-tree average density and wood density at breast height, 60 Grevillea robusta trees were sampled from north-eastern Argentina plantations. Wood basic density was measured at five height levels in each tree. A weighted average density was calculated for each tree and a linear regression was calculated using whole-tree density as the independent variable and wood density at breast height as the regressor. The coefficient of determination (R-2), standard error and mean percentage error were 81%, 12.7kgm(-3) and 10.2% respectively, showing a close association between variables. Wood density at breast height is useful for estimating wood density of the whole tree in G. robusta.