A cover-based method to assess forest characteristics using inventory data and GIS.

Highlights: [•] Crown width models were applied to trees in large-area forest inventory data. [•] Amount of canopy cover was determined by accounting for crown overlap using GIS. [•] This process links area to individual-tree attributes (e.g., diameter and height). [•] The area: tree link creates a new analytical model for contemporary forest issues. [•] Canopy area may provide new information not contained in usual forest descriptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]