Introduction: Estimating the volume stock of poplar plantations plays an important role in understanding the current status and sustainable management of these resources in order to planning production and improve management decisions for the development of wood farming in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. The stem form factor is one of the most important characteristics for determining the exact volume of trees. The aim of this research is to determine the stem real form factor for white poplar (Populus alba L.) and compare it with the natural and artificial form factors.

Material and Methods: To conduct this research, first, the major poplar plantation stands were identified in the province using the field operations. Then, in 10 different stands of poplar plantation with white poplar species, a total of 67 trees were selected using stratified random sampling method based on diameter classes. After selecting the sample trees, their diameter at breast height and total height were measured, and from the height of the stem base of each sample tree, the location of 2 m sections and the diameter at 0.1 of the tree height were determined using a Leica model D810 laser device, and then the diameter of that height was measured using the same device without felling the trees. Then, the real volume of each tree stem was obtained from the sum of the volume of 2 m logs using the Smalian’s formula to be used in calculating various stem form factors. To check for a significant difference between the stem real form factor with the other two form factors (natural and artificial), a paired t-test was used.

Results: The results showed that the stem form factors of real, natural and artificial of white poplar in this province were 0.44, 0.47 and 0.39, respectively. Also, the results of the paired t-test showed that there was a significant difference at the 99% confidence level between the form factors of artificial and natural with real. Also, based on the calculated slenderness coefficient, the studied poplar plantations were unstable in all diameter classes.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that the form factors of natural and artificial cannot be used as a substitute for the real form factor for white poplar species in this province. The findings of this research can provide valuable basic information for use in determining the exact standing and saleable volume of each poplar tree, planning and management decisions in the field of wood farming development and related industries development in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province.