%0 Research article
%T Smooth height/age curves from stem analysis with linear programming
%A Lappi, Juha
%D 2006
%J Silva Fennica
%V 40
%N 2
%R doi:10.14214/sf.344
%U https://silvafennica.fi/article/344
%X Stem analysis data defines a range of possible heights for each age. A  smooth stem/age curve is obtained with linear programming (LP) when the  sum of the absolute second differences of heights is minimized subject  to constraints obtained from the stem analysis. The method is analogous  to cubic splines. A LP problem can include additional constraints that  are based on the assumption that the crosscut is randomly located within  the annual height increment. The method produces smoother height curves  than Issa method which is utilizing second order differences of ring  counts. It was found using simulated data that the method provides  better results than earlier methods for short bolts if height growth is  sufficiently regular.