 A Merit Hipsometer is used to estimate tree heights in merchantable log and half log lengths and is usually printed on the opposite side of a Biltmore stick. Personalized Merit Hipsometers can be made to match your natural arm reach. To do this, first obtain a broom handle, large dowel, or other blank that can be used. You may also use the opposite side of your personalized Biltmore stick. Then holding the blank vertically in front of you, have someone carefully measure the distance from your eye to the blank. This is your personal arm reach for creating your Merit Hipsometer. Note that it may be different than your arm reach for your personalized Biltmore stick. You will notice manufactured Merit Hipsometers are in 16 foot log and 8 foot half log lengths. You can calculate log length graduations for your personalized Merit Hipsometer using the following formula. Where A is equal to arm reach in inches, L is log length and feet, D is your distance from the tree, either 66 feet or 99 feet. For example, if you had an arm reach of 24 inches and you were trying to estimate for one log and you were standing 66 feet away from the tree, your measurement would be 24 times 16.3 divided by 66 or 5.9 inches is what you would mark on your Merit Hipsometer. Complete and record calculations for your personal arm reach. Do this for log lengths starting at 1, 16 foot log and continue in half log intervals for 4 logs or more depending on the size of the timber you will be measuring. Once you have your calculations complete, you may start crafting your Merit Hipsometer. Find a starting point that's at least 6 to 10 inches from the top of the stick and mark it with a pencil line. Starting the markings here will keep your hand from rubbing off the marks. Then draw a line straight up the center of your staff, measuring in inches, intensive inches from the starting point mark and the appropriate number of inches for one log standing 99 feet away from the tree. For example, if your 1 log 99 foot calculation was 4 inches, you would measure 4 inches from the starting point and mark this along the center line. Label this as 1 log. For 1 log standing 66 feet away from the tree, you would measure 5.9 inches from the starting mark and mark it on the other side of the center line and label this as 1 log. You then repeat the process labeling each mark as you go until all your height markings are complete. Once you have your graduations marked with pencil, check them for correctness using a manufacturer tipsometer, clinometer or an object of known height such as the utility pole. After you are convinced your stick is properly marked, go over your pencil marks with a permanent marker or mark them in another permanent method. This is your chance to be creative. Now you're ready to measure tree heights using your personalized Merit Hipsometer.