Assessing the risk associated with trees is a vital component to maintaining the urban forest. Visually assessing a tree can often give more than enough information. However, what cannot be seen can yield valuable information to the risk assessor or manager.
It is normal for trees that appear healthy to have decay inside the trunk and limbs. It is the extent of this decay, along with the overall vitality of the tree that determines management (pruning, cabling, removal). Traditional methods of assessing internal decay include sounding the tree with a mallet, increment borer, and drilling. A more sophisticated method is the resistograph, which determines the decay extent using a very fine drill bit and produces a printed record.
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- Tomography computer
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- TreeSolutions tomography
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- Aerial Tomography
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- Sonic tomography sensor detail
Among the very latest technology is the minimally invasive procedure (i.e. no drilling!), sonic tomography. Sound waves sent through the tree are measured by sensors placed around the assessed part, which feed into a computer. The computer analyzes the input producing a color image which accurately shows healthy wood and decayed wood. This detailed information greatly helps in determining management of the Arboretum main attraction…the trees!
Tags: Arboriculture, Hazard tree assessment, Horticulture, Washington Park Arboretum
Chris – nicely done! I’ll look forward to other postings from you.
And how was the tree? Did it get a clean bill of health?
Nice post!
I was waiting for someone to ask about the tree! I am still waiting on the final report from TreeSolutions, but the initial assessment shows a large decay column extending from the ground to about 20 ft. up the trunk, so the tree is hollow. Strength loss is likely significant…which leaves us with 3 options: do nothing, reduce the height of tree, or removal. I’m leaning toward the height reduction option at the moment.