Picus Users?

[ScottF]

Hi All.

 

I've recently bought a Picus tomograph and wondered if there were any other Picus users on Arbtalk who'd be into sharing experiences, findings (dare I say, shortcomings) with the device?

 

I've got my first couple of surveys to undertake with it this week, so would welcome any advice from seasoned users, or those who've had surveys done.

 

Many thanks,

 

 

Scott

 

 

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[Amelanchier]

I used one when I was with the Council. First thing I'd ask is do you have the calipers?

[High Scale]

Picus Users - Sorbus International

[josharb87]

dont use it in the wet, as it seems to make a perfect flower picture

 

have spare batterys for the laptop if youre doing a few, or an inverter thing for the van to run the laptop from the ciggerete socket

[ScottF]

Not yet- I can see them saving quite a lot of time versus measuring the linear distances between the sensors and then entering the data manually, but I find the price on the high side (C£2.5k). Apparently, Argus are developing a much cheaper set of non-bluetooth calipers at the moment.

 

I appreciate you need get as accurate an image of the stem shape as possible, but I think I'll do it the hard way until I get more work in for it.

 

Did you find the calipers made a big difference either to accuracy or time?

 

 

 

 

 

 

QUOTE=Tony Sorensen;289626]I used one when I was with the Council. First thing I'd ask is do you have the calipers?

[Amelanchier]

Sorry missed your reply Scott.

 

I guess if you're going for manual input to obtain a better shape then you've addressed my greatest concern. If you get a spare moment and a normal tree (should such a thing exist), check the difference in the results out between the standard circle vs the proper shape - watch the residual wall grow or the off centre defect disappear! Magic!

 

When speccing PICUS test I tend to include a requirement for the use of calipers or at least that submitted quotes must include a methodology for its use.

[scotspine1]

Here's a recent reading and pic of actual decay, first the Picus, then the tree cross cut two weeks later at the exact same height as the nails - decay was caused by Kretzchmaria deusta. What was interesting about this tree was the decay pattern was mirrored right up the stem to about 60ft then gradually tailed off. Tree was about 100ft in height.

 

Calipers are quick if bluetooth works

[David Humphries]

Calipers are quick if bluetooth works

 

Good post Tim.

 

So was the above, with or without Calipers then?

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

[ScottF]

Great post, Tim. Cheers.

 

I'm still getting to grips with the device myself. I actually Picussed a beech with K. deusta last week which I would have almost certainly condemned beforehand. I took a few readings at various heights and it suggested that the decay was incipient above ground rather than progressing upward from below.

[ScottF]

Good advice, Tony. Cheers.

 

Looks like I might have to smash the piggy bank again.

 

Best

 

Scott

 

 

Sorry missed your reply Scott.

 

I guess if you're going for manual input to obtain a better shape then you've addressed my greatest concern. If you get a spare moment and a normal tree (should such a thing exist), check the difference in the results out between the standard circle vs the proper shape - watch the residual wall grow or the off centre defect disappear! Magic!

 

When speccing PICUS test I tend to include a requirement for the use of calipers or at least that submitted quotes must include a methodology for its use.

 

Welcome to FairleyArb.com