Native Americans had a very interesting and unusual way of seeing how high a tree was. They would bend over and look through their legs!
They would walk far enough from the tree to a find a place where they were just able to see the top of the tree (from their upside down position). The distance from this place to the base of the tree was approximately the height of the tree.
Does it work? Actually it does and the reason is rather simple. For a normal, fit and healthy adult (one who can bend over in such a way), the angle that is formed as they look through their legs is approximately 45 degrees. The angle between the tree trunk and the ground is fairly close to 90 degrees and, using what you know about the angles and sides of a triangle you can work out the height of the tree. The height of the tree and the distance from the tree to the person is about equal. Therefore, knowing the distance to the tree gives you a good idea about the height of the tree. It certainly saves having to carry heavy surveying equipment around.
Does it work? Actually it does and the reason is rather simple. For a normal, fit and healthy adult (one who can bend over in such a way), the angle that is formed as they look through their legs is approximately 45 degrees. The angle between the tree trunk and the ground is fairly close to 90 degrees and, using what you know about the angles and sides of a triangle you can work out the height of the tree. The height of the tree and the distance from the tree to the person is about equal. Therefore, knowing the distance to the tree gives you a good idea about the height of the tree. It certainly saves having to carry heavy surveying equipment around.
How complicated can we make a simple procedure? 