PICUS

[Rinapea]

Hi our management agent is forcing us to have a piccus done in an horsechestnut tree with a TPO.

 

furstly just wondering the advantages and also more importantly the disadvantages of it.

can the recommendations vary depending who reads the scan or are the results black and white when it comes to deciding what to do next? 

Thank you 

[Gary Prentice]

Picus doesn't pick up decay by Kretzschmaria deusta, unless I believe it's very advanced. Otherwise it's pretty reliable. Bare in mind that one scan is only one cross sectional plane view at the location, the more scans the better to build up a better interpretation of what's going on. 

Edited September 17, 2018 by Gary Prentice
Adding 't's due to faulty keyboard!

[daltontrees]

56 minutes ago, Gary Prentice said:

Picus doesn't pick up decay by Kretzschmaria deusta, unless I believe it's very advanced. Otherwise it's pretty reliable. Bare in mind that one scan is only one cross sectional plane view at the location, the more scans the better to build up a beer interpretation of what's going on. 

If LA's want to build up a beer interpretation of what's going on, they just need to ask Arbtalk any day after 5pm. ?

Edited September 17, 2018 by daltontrees

[Rinapea]

Hi Gary 

the tree is very old so is likely to have decay but that mean they have to fell the tree of decay is found or depends on the percentage of the tree decay.

could one tree surgeon recommend a different management after a PICUS to another?

sorry for the question really want to save this beautiful tree but managing agent want to remive it due to ongoing management costs.

 

rins 

[Gary Prentice]

Unless the tomograph is showing a very narrow residual sound wall, the final management recommendation can vary considerably. Lots of factors should be considered, such as the surrounding targets (people/vehicles/structures), as well as the environmental, social, economic benefits that the tree provides. 

 

As you say, decay isn't unusual in old trees, but removal isn't always the only option. Testing only provides information, as to the extent of decay at the positions tested, that information has to be interpreted and you should be provided with a number of options for future management, with the benefits/disbenefits of each. It's not really up to the arboriculturist to tell you what to do, but provide the information for 'someone' to reach a balanced, educated decision. 

 

What are the ongoing management costs for?   

[Khriss]

I think with H.Chestnut, I have seen more crown failures  ( heavy lateral branches stress loaded by heavy rain ) than trunk failures-which a Picus would not help you with.  K

[Chris at eden]

On ‎17‎/‎09‎/‎2018 at 10:51, Rinapea said:

Hi Gary 

the tree is very old so is likely to have decay but that mean they have to fell the tree of decay is found or depends on the percentage of the tree decay.

could one tree surgeon recommend a different management after a PICUS to another?

sorry for the question really want to save this beautiful tree but managing agent want to remive it due to ongoing management costs.

 

rins 

The tree has a TPO so the evidence would have to support the statement of reasons within the application.  The tree officer is unlikely to allow felling if the decay is only minor irrespective of on going management costs.  Equally though, you cant ignore it if its significant and has associated risk.  Reduction may also be an option.  It depends on a lot of other considerations as Gary said though.  Species, extent of decay, exposure, targets, etc.

 

One thing I would say is that I wouldn't trust Picus 100% anyway.  I've done and assessed dozens of Picus scans.  In the most part they are OK but you get the occasional one which throws out results that are a little misleading.