Picus sonic Tomograph

[RobArb]

Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum - Blog

 

is it here?

[armybloke]

Need this thread linking in with the other we are on eh!

[sloth]

It has been said, very logically so, that to accurately assess a picus test you must know what decay fungi is present.

I am now wondering, if no fruit body is present how do you know? Surely invasive sample taking and lab id would not be feasible? Also, what of colonization by more than one species of fungi, perhaps with only fbs of one present? Is it safe to assume and base results on one being present, if you don't know something else isn't also in there?

Any ideas welcomed! Thanks

[Fungus]

It has been said, very logically so, that to accurately assess a picus test you must know what decay fungi is present. if no fruit body is present how do you know? Surely invasive sample taking and lab id would not be feasible? Also, what of colonization by more than one species of fungi, perhaps with only fbs of one present? Is it safe to assume and base results on one being present, if you don't know something else isn't also in there?

 

Sloth,

Why use any type of more or less invasive instrument, if there are no signs of decay by any fungus - with or without FB's - present or visible in the body language of the tree itself ?

[sloth]

But what if there are signs of hollowing, eg bottle butt, fibre buckling etc, but no fbs? Or only fbs of one fungus, when, unknown, more than one may be causing decay?

[Fungus]

But what if there are signs of hollowing, eg bottle butt, fibre buckling etc, but no fbs? Or only fbs of one fungus, when, unknown, more than one may be causing decay?

 

- Fibre buckling is a mechanical phenomenon, i.e. is not caused by fungi.

- Shell or bark buckling caused by simultaneous white rotters (life belt, love handles) differs from shell buckling caused by brown rotters (horizontal and vertical bark cracks or creases).

- Vertical sheer or spiral cracks are mostly associated with Ganoderma species and Fomes fomentarius.

- Bark sinking on the trunk is mostly caused by Phellinus or Inonotus species.

- Bark and cambium necrosis causing fungi can often be recognised by the characteristics of their cankers.

- If there are signs of hollowing, you don't need to know the cause to determine the (remaining) wood quality or strength and stability of the tree.

- Tomography can not assess woodrot below ground level, so it's not suited for identifying and diagnosing woodrot caused by wood degrading pathogens such as Meripilus giganteus, K. deusta, Pholiota squarrosa, Gymnopilus junonius, Collybia fusipes, etc. at and below ground level.

- For the rest, you'll have to assess and monitor the body language of the tree and have knowledge of and experience with the outer signs of fungus-tree species specific interactions and how they effect the stability of the tree.

- The last question can not be answered by using any type of instrument, i.e. can only be answered after the tree has been felled and the necrotrophic parasitic or saprotrophic macrofungi start panic fruiting or the territorial bounderies of the more than one species and the types of woodrot become visible.

[sloth]

- Fibre buckling is a mechanical phenomenon, i.e. is not caused by fungi.

- Shell or bark buckling caused by simultaneous white rotters (life belt, love handles) differs from shell buckling caused by brown rotters (horizontal and vertical bark cracks or creases).

- Vertical sheer or spiral cracks are mostly associated with Ganoderma species and Fomes fomentarius.

- Bark sinking on the trunk is mostly caused by Phellinus or Inonotus species.

- Bark and cambium necrosis causing fungi can often be recognised by the characteristics of their cankers.

- If there are signs of hollowing, you don't need to know the cause to determine the (remaining) wood quality or strength and stability of the tree.

- Tomography can not assess woodrot below ground level, so it's not suited for identifying and diagnosing woodrot caused by wood degrading pathogens such as Meripilus giganteus, K. deusta, Pholiota squarrosa, Gymnopilus junonius, Collybia fusipes, etc. at and below ground level.

- For the rest, you'll have to assess and monitor the body language of the tree and have knowledge of and experience with the outer signs of fungus-tree species specific interactions and how they effect the stability of the tree.

- The last question can not be answered by using any type of instrument, i.e. can only be answered after the tree has been felled and the necrotrophic parasitic or saprotrophic macrofungi start panic fruiting or the territorial bounderies of the more than one species and the types of woodrot become visible.

 

Well that sums it up! Thank you

[treeseer]

Totally agree, especially "- If there are signs of hollowing, you don't need to know the cause to determine the (remaining) wood quality or strength and stability of the tree.", but isn't there some variation based on region and species to consider?

 

Plus, the role of resonance/acoustic testing by sounding with a mallet should be part of the process. First tool out of my bag, after or during the first eyeballing.

[Fungus]

1. Totally agree, especially "- If there are signs of hollowing, you don't need to know the cause to determine the (remaining) wood quality or strength and stability of the tree.", but isn't there some variation based on region and species to consider?

2. Plus, the role of resonance/acoustic testing by sounding with a mallet should be part of the process.

 

1. Standard basic VTA-procedure without assessment and integration of fungus-tree species specific interactions and effects on the stability of the tree in the diagnosis.

2. Along with the use of a bodkin or a longer cavity probe, also standard basic VTA-procedure, the subject of this thread is "Picus sonic Tomograph".

Edited November 1, 2011 by Fungus

[Xerxses]

2. Along with the use of a bodkin or a longer cavity probe, also standard basic VTA-procedure, the subject of this thread is "Picus sonic Tomograph".

 

I don't mind, this thread has evolved rather nicely!

Interesting information and discussion.