Laser surveying to determine root spread/depth

[ChrisG]

Has anybody come across this as an industry recognised survey technique in the UK?

[Paul Melarange]

Do you mean root surveys using ground penetrating radar?

[LincolnSteve]

Sharon Hosegood Associates were championing the "Root Radar" about 4 years ago. Not heard much of it since, guess it didn't work all that well?

[Paul Melarange]

Sharon Hosegood Associates were championing the "Root Radar" about 4 years ago. Not heard much of it since, guess it didn't work all that well?

 

Sharon has extensive experience of using the tree radar. She has done two surveys for me, both of which I've been really pleased with. I'm sure she would be happy to talk to anyone that might be interested in the technique/eqiupment.

[daltontrees]

Sharon Hosegood Associates were championing the "Root Radar" about 4 years ago. Not heard much of it since, guess it didn't work all that well?

 

I am convinced it works, it's just not cheap or we'd all be doing it.

[Gary Prentice]

Is there any literature available on this? I can't recall ever reading anything about it.

[Paul Cleaver]

sounds like a niche

[ChrisG]

Sorry gents, I did mean radar.

Just curious as to how valid it is, costs etc. It's my understanding that it doesn't detect roots less than 1cm in diameter which bothers me?

[daltontrees]

Sorry gents, I did mean radar.

Just curious as to how valid it is, costs etc. It's my understanding that it doesn't detect roots less than 1cm in diameter which bothers me?

 

A centimetre? Less han a pencil's width? Nothing'll see that. Except loosening soil with a fork at right angles to the radial spread, and just looking for them with your eyes. It depends on what you are trying to achieve, GPR is apparently good but it's not magic.

 

It's definitely part of the gamut of recognised techniques, I remember being quizzed about it during my AA Tech practical exams.

[Chris at eden]

I had one on demo about 10 years ago when I was working as tree officer in Dudley. We got a Picus in the end as that is what we were mainly look at. You can scan the trunks with tree radar but its not great.

 

Another problem is you cannot interpret the data yourself unless this has changed recently. You record it and send it away for analysis or at least you used to. I can definitely see it having practical applications but probably not enough for everyone to have it. You could say that about Picus and micro drills also though.

 

Clever bit of kit.