BatiArb

I agree and the criticism makes it all the stronger. As the title of the thread clearly says..... Thermal Imaging is Hear to Stay.

Tony, This really is not the intention and I am sorry you feel that way. I simply speak from personal experience and belief in what i practice. However, I am quite prepared to be proven wrong and expect progress to transform the way I think. I agree and look forward to it. However, it is important to understand the difference between the tree thermography methodology that Dr Catena has established and the use of TTMS software processing. .

There is so much out there to experience we only have to open our minds and believe....... The thermal image below might stimulate some thoughts in some....... Interesting aura don't you think ? .

Tony, Since this is clearly aimed at me....... I do not have a problem with using such language because this is what I believe. I am passionate about trees and this technology offers us a fantastic opportunity to take our understanding to the next level. It will enable us to manage trees more proactively in a more holistic way, with knowledge that allows us to plan pruning work that we know is actually beneficial to the tree(s). You clearly have an issue with my use of the term dark ages to describe where we have been, well I am sorry you take such offence at this. Perhaps you should look in on your self and ask why........ Why are you so adverse to embracing change...? Why are you so against the use of a tool that clearly provides us with a greater understanding and offers us opportunities to inform effective tree management? Thermal imaging and the scientific knowledge that comes with it has revolutionised the way I look at trees and life as a whole. It is a new visual language that I have had to learn in oder that I can then translate the images that the technology allows me to see. It is totally up to you whether you wish to say in the dark and not experience the light. However, I continue to encourage you to join in and embrace the opportunity....... If nothing else it is seriously COOL

Thought it was worth sorting out Marcus's posting so the points were clearer. They are important. Precision Arboriculture!! would appear to be a good way of explaining a tree management system that will save a great deal of money and ensure that arborists do the job we are trained to do as experts..... Tree Care This point is very important. There are 'short term' changes in the amount of functional wood caused by prolonged drought but this is short term in the context of a tree, which is still a year or so. The equilibriums that are set up and analysed by the system take time to come about and so a measurement at any given time is a good represention of the status of the tree during a prolonged period. There are of course limitations as to when you can take measurements. They must be during the day for example and most of the caveats realte to this. This is also why training is a good idea. There has been a great deal of emphasis on the colours in the past. These are just a representation of temperature, it is the temperature data that is important. No system is infallible but a good sytem has checks and cross checks so that you know when it is close to fallibility. There are loads in TTMS. Also the system is constantly reviewed updated and improved, not because it is a bad system but because I am a cautious person who has worked in science for over 20 years and so knows that this is a requirement of ALL systems. So if anyone trys to sell you anything the first question you should ask is how often is it reviewed and improved upon. The more this is done, the better the product (just look at the iphone/ipad what are we on version 4?). The dark ages bit is a little strong, but there are good analagies with the agriculture sector that we can draw upon. About 15 years ago I work as part of a group looking at precision agriculture, the aim was to target the area of crop that needed the fertiliser and chemicals not the whole crop. It was not popular with farmers, equipment was expensive and the system was slow. Isn't this what we want to do with our trees? Target the ones that genuinely need the management and not just get the chainsaw out because it has a visual symptom. Again 10 yaers ago the equipment was expensive and the software slow. Now this has all changed. Not Sinclair C5, the Minidisc, the Amstrad email phone and yes, the Betamax. Precision Arboriculture!!

The point I would like to pick out here is that when an arborist is using thermal imaging data is it FACTUAL. The data captured by the camera is a true representation of the trees temperature. There is not interpretation to be done here. There is no need to try and work out what the colours mean. The thermogram is comprised of colours that are used as a visual aid and are applied to factual temperature readings taken from the surface of the tree at the point of image capture. The experienced tree thermographer is translating this temperature data. We are learning a new visual language here and a new way of looking at trees, not to mention the world around us. This is a fascinating area of science. Believe me when you get hold of a thermal imaging camera you will be using it to look at everything. The dogs in the office are the first, but then it progresses to the computer key pad, heat loss from your house, your children's cold symptoms and in my case your unborn child....... WHEN the insurance industry gets behind it........ IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME.

The point is that the accuracy of the data capture with thermal imaging, which provides information about the current physiological condition of the tree, can be used in statistical analysis of populations. This allows the calculation of a probability of failure within that population. The point is with this is that it is possible to gather large amounts of data very quickly and inform far more holistic decisions that are based on accurate information about the tree in relation to its local population. The probability of failure scoring that is provided with a thermal image assessment is based on the use of a computer model within the TTMS software used to calibrate the images (see below). This information can be used in other statistically analytical systems as well. It all comes down to the availability of data to analyse. Thermal imaging allows the capture of information about tree populations that has never before been practical let alone affordable. In the right conditions we can survey up to 100 trees a day, capturing thermograms of each tree that will enable an assessment of its physiological function from roots up into the branches. What other tool on the market can offer you this.....? Visual Tree Assessment has two significant limitations. Firstly it is based on observations of the trees historic reactive growth process, because the arborists uses knowledge of how the tree grows and responds to structural weaknesses over time. Some VTA symptoms will take decades to develop as the tree slowly reacts to a particular structural situation or the presence of decay. Therefore VTA is an assessment of a historic process, and does not necessarily tell you anything about what the trees current condition is. For example a VTA symptom such as an area of wound wood or reactive growth that has formed a bulge may now be dead wood, dried out or even decayed. The arborists is not likely to be able to say one way or the other, and this is really the second issue with VTA it is down to the inspectors personal opinion and experience. The inspecting arborist has to place a significance on the observations made, and then determine a conclusion without any supporting evidence. The use of thermal imaging provide the inspector with an ability to determine what parts of the tree are still functional. Using heat as the tool it is possible to use the infrared camera to observe the water presence and movement within the tree. This provides the supporting evidence to demonstrate that the reactive growth associated with VTA symptoms is still functional. This is done simply by using the camera as a tool to observe heat movement within the tree. The camera technology allows the capture of a fully radiometric digital thermogram, which includes all the temperature information that the infrared censing hardware can absorb. For example our camera is sensitive to a temperature range between -40 to +120 degrees Celsius. The infrared software that comes with the camera allows you to adjust the colour application to different temperature ranges and differentials. This is what create the colour image that we see. For trees the image temperature span (distance between upper and lower temperatures) tends to be no more than 2-3 degrees Celsius. The level (position of the set span on the sensitivity range e.g. -40 to +120 degrees Celsius) will vary depending on the time of image capture and the temperature ranges of the day. The analytical capabilities of the radiometric thermograms means that it is possible to use this temperature data in a number of ways. This is where the post image capture processing comes in. We use TTMS (Tree Thermal Matrix System) software. This enables the comparison of the temperature data captured on the day with a computer model that predicts what the tree's thermal signature should look like (i.e. what its temperature should be) if it is in optimal condition. The simple software calculation uses temperature data from the site and metoffice weather data to work out the temperature curve for the day of image capture. The product of the calculation is an upper and lower temperature range that allows the thermograms to be adjusted. The processed thermal image then provides a visual illustration of where the tree's thermal signature is. If a tree is healthy then the processed thermogram will be very close if not identical to the actual temperature readings on the tree at the time of image capture. However, if the tree is not responding well to the temperature changes on a day to day basis it will be a degree or so cooler than the optimal. Such trees do not have sufficient functional wood to allow them to react to the daily temperature changes. If a tree cannot respond to daily temperature fluctuations it is in poor health and also unable to grow reactively to the presence of growth stresses such as wounding, decay, drought, pruning or root disturbance. This then allows the arborist to make informed decisions about the trees management. If significant areas of dysfunction are found, such as cavities or decay, it is then possible to work out whether the tree can respond to the challenge of living with these weaknesses or not. What other tool on the market can offer you this.....? In the image I posted earlier, this was of a drought stressed tree and there were some specific issues that had significantly contributed towards this. Not least the fact that roots had been left exposed following an investigation to determine damage to the adjacent wall. This in combination with the demand for water in the spring leaf growth period meant that the tree was suffering. The concentration of cooling associated with this presents a very symptomatic image and a recommendation to re-assess the tree when the wholes had been filled back in and the tree had benefited from a period of rain or been watered. Seasonal or periodic drought stress is something that trees have to cope with on a regular basis, but it does expose them to the progress of decay fungi within their trunk and central root system. Where decay fungi are present (in 99.9% of mature trees) the period of drought stress provides them with a new food source that they can capitalise on. The fungi will take advantage of this opportunity. In such situations one of the recommendations to the client is to water the tree, and reduce the amount of time it is exposed to drought stress. This will then limit the progress of decay. What other tool on the market can offer you this.....? Welcome to the future........ This is a new language in true tree care.

Yes, these are all tools which we use and the arborist has the choice to make. How much information do you need to back up the decision on a tree, and what do you need to know about. Every tool has advantages and disadvantages, not to mention using different means to assess a situation. Personally (as I have said before) I do not think looking at decay and cavities is the right way to assess the ability of a tree to stand up or grow reactively. Thermal Imaging is the only tool on the market that enables us to consider the healthy function of a tree's trunk and main branches. PICUS and the TreeTronic can provide a reasonable assessment of cavities and decay in the trunk, but have limited application anywhere else. The methodology of use certainly cannot provide any indication about root decay. Thermal imaging is the only tool that enables the arborist to consider the condition of the roots, trunk and main branch structure in one single assessment.

Two points here. Sound wood in a tree is not necessarily good. For example dry seasoned wood will be sound, but it is also inflexible and therefore counterproductive to the flexibility that the tree uses to absorb wind loads. Where there is a combination of dry seasoned wood and flexible water filled wood splits tend to form between them, because of the difference in movement when each absorbs a load. With reference to the second point in your posting, thermal imaging does not show whether or not a tree will fall down, any more than any other tree assessment tool. This comes down to the arborist using the tool to assess the tree. It is possible to use statistical systems to assist with this judgement as to the likelihood of failure and whether action is required or not. However, it must be emphasised that there is no tool on the market that will every remove the need for a qualified and experienced judgement made by the arborists using it.

Now to elaborate on this point. The thermal tree assessment enables to observation of the volume of tree currently holding water. This is to say that it is possible to observe trees that are in drought stress due to a recent period of dry weather. Drought stress presents a very clear characteristic thermal signature, with concentrated cooling at the base of the tree. This can be as a result of site issues, in which case other trees will be exhibiting similar symptoms, or it could be because the tree itself has incurred injury that has put it into an impact drought stress. The image attached is of a tree that is suffering from drought stress, but this is impact related because it has recently undergone pruning, which removed a large number of basal stems (epicormic growth) and its roots were exposed due to adjacent wall repairs. The concentrated cooling at the base of the trunk and the steep temperature gradient between the base and the upper trunk is the characteristic symptom.

Not exactly. The point is that PICUS is limited because it only really identifies different grades of decayed wood or cavity. The user is then left to consider the remainder as 'sound' wood, but there is no way of knowing how much of this so called 'sound' wood is actually functional. Sound wood may or may not be healthy from a trees point of view. After all the wooden chairs or tables in our houses are made of sound wood. A tree requires its trunk and branch wood to be more than simply 'sound'. The point is with thermal imaging is that it uses heat as a tool to allow us to observe functional wood within the tree. This is to say the volume of the trees structure that can hold water. It could in fact be used with a PICUS assessment to map out the proportions of the trunk that are cavity, decay, sound and functional. The PICUS allows the identification of the first two, with thermal providing the final and you can then work out what is left.

I totally agree, and it would be really interesting to hear his considered thoughts on the technology and its applications.

I was having a conversation with Tony Kirkham today and he said that Glyn had offered him the service, with a view to being used at Kew. However, he said that the camera Glyn was using was not as good as the one we had demonstrated at Kew a month or so previous, when we gave the tree team a seminar on Thermal Imaging. I was discussing with Tony the prospect of screaming their trees for the OPM nests, which is something we are trialling at the moment. However, Tony was pleased to confirm that he is now clean of OPM as their spraying regime has proved very effective for them.

Where do you find this stuff Tony.... You need some bed time reading that keeps you off the computer, because I am sure you cannot spend much time actually in bed. Good Luck to YOU

You are missing the point. Thermal Imaging is not primarily a decay detection tool. Yes it can be used to identify the presence of decay in trees, but primarily it is looking at functional wood. To me this is the real POSITIVE move in tree assessment. Decay detection per-say has never really floated my boat….. It has always seamed to me to be looking at the wrong thing. I still do not understand why we spend so much money investigating it. The fact is that by using heat as a tool to identify areas of functional wood within the trunk of the tree we can positively say that the tree has enough healthy structure to be safe. What more do you need to know......? Tell me another tree assessment methodology that will give you information about the healthy parts of a tree’s trunk and branches…………..

This IS the future of arboriculture, and were we get the opportunity to practice true tree care....... A tree condition assessment looks at these symptoms and should recommend remedial action that helps the tree. However, tree work above ground just treats the symptoms and does not deal with the real issues which are more often than not below ground. This is when the arborists needs to get the AIR-SPADE out and dig down to find out what is going on. Just take the dead wood out of a tree without finding out what is causing it and there will be more dead wood next year and the year after. Yes, this is more work for the 'tree surgeon' but is it tree care? Is it why the client is calling in a specialist for advice? Answers on a post care please........

That is the ticket. Look it is also available in Green...... I wonder it that helps them sneak up on the OPM

That is exactly why the breathing gear is so important. Silicosis is not something to be sniffed at....

I would agree to a point. However, the AIR-SPADE really is in another league. The Soil-Pick is a utility tool basic and brutal. It does the job, but it lacks the refinement and flexibility of the AIR-SPADE. The Soil-Pick is limited in its basic design. The trigger mechanism is designed for working down a vertical hole or trench. The nozzle is permanently sealed into the shaft (which is sold as an advantage) so it is essential to make sure you have the right tool compressor combination. Three different specifications are available to suit different cfm compressors. The AIR-SPADE has a modular design with parts that screw together without tools, it has: Interchangeable nozzles sized to match air compressors from 15 to 250 scfm Interchangeable extensions to 2.4m and reducers to 600mm Ergonomic handle with thermal shield and pressure gauge Safety "dead man" trigger with guard Non conductive insulated barrel Hardened wear resistant non sparking stainless steel nozzle Proven to dig up to 50% faster than other air excavation equipment. Digs harder soils than competitive or home made wands Less worker fatigue / injuries than a pick or shovel (0 vibration) Faster and safer than hand digging Saves expensive hourly labor costs Non-damaging to all kinds of buried utilities or plant roots Digs without making mud and does not create "contaminated" spoil like water Excavated soil is ideal for recompaction Basically one of the best bits about the AIR-SPADE is the ability to purchase the spares for it. Not to mention the interchangeable nozzles that enable a lance to be matched to a different compressor, simply by changing to a different nozzle. Changing nozzles can also be useful in different soil conditions as well. Both the Soil-Pick and AIR-SPADE use converging/diverging nozzle technology to accelerate compressed air to supersonic speed (to 1500 mph). The high velocity air stream travels approximately 10-15 (4 - 6 inches) from the end of the lance (commonly known as - "the cutting edge") before decompressing to atmospheric pressure with sufficient violence to pulverize and displace soil. The AIR-SPADE is available in a number of different kits but the most common supplied to the arboricultural and horticultural sector is: The AIR-SPADE 2000 [*]AIR-SPADE® 2000 c/w choice of nozzle, 1.2m barrel, dust shield and handle [*]45 degree angled adapter [*]10 ft. comfort hose [*]Storage case with lock For a competitive quote and more information on the kits available contact the office on 0845 658 1400 However, do not forget that Lee has a Soil-Pick for sale at a good price. At the end of the day you pays your money and you takes your choice...... I have attached a brochure, but please note that this is now out of date as new ones are in production with more up effective PPE. The cover photograph is a little 1980's..... Air-Spade 2000 Brochure.pdf

Here are a couple of photographs of the demonstration area at the ARB Show. Ground conditions were really hard going with a almost impenetrable layer of stones about half a meter below the surface. In addition to exposing the root buttresses I used the AIR-SPADE to break up the soil crust and incorporate the wood chip mulch. The air lance in the foreground is a Turbo Terra-Air de-compaction tool that we use to laterally shatter the compacted soil down to a maximum depth of a meter. However half a meter was the limit at Cirencester park due to the density of large stones in the subsoil layers. Again if anyone is interested we can also provide you with competitive rates on the purchase of the Turbo Terra-Air as well.

What PPE are you using with it? We are now recommending and supplying hooded coveralls and a face mask with respiration (breathing filtration system) built in. The latter comes with hard hat and ear muffs. The breathing gear is not cheep but then you cannot replace your lungs.... As I see it the biggest risk associated with the use of the AIR-SPADE, or any other similar technology that blows soil around, is silicosis. Silicosis = also known as Potter's rot, is a form of occupational lung disease caused by the inhalation of crystalline silica dust (sand). Causes lesions in the upper lobes of the lungs. Advanced cases can be fatal while others lead to cancer. Not nice stuff and the use of the AIR-SPADE for prolonged periods of time without any air filtration presents risks to the operator that must not be ignored. However, with the right PPE it is a very safe and extremely useful tool that has the potential to transform the way we work with trees.

Compressor choice will come down to the nozzle you have fitted to your AIR-SPADE. For example the AIR-SPADE can be fitted with a choice of at least 6 different nozzle sizes which enable the use of different compressor specifications. The standard nozzle fitted the the AIR-SPADE we sell is the 150 which is designed to operate at a minimum of 150 cfm. The most common compressor in the US run at 185 cfm, and most companies running the AIR-SPADE will use the 150 nozzle. The point here is that it is no problem to use a higher cfm compressor with a smaller nozzle, but the performance of the AIR-SPADE will drop dramatically if a larger nozzle is used with a smaller compressor. i.e. a 225 nozzle with a 150 cfm compressor. The two compressors we recommend are the CompAIR C42 or the C50, these have a 148 and 176 cfm respectively. Considering the above we supply a smaller nozzle than standard to go with the C42. Basically it is cheeper to buy a smaller nozzle and save some cash on the compressor. However, when it comes to doing the job there really is no substitute for size and therefore if budget is not restricted then you really should go for the C62 which has a rating of just under 220 cfm. With a standard 150 nozzle and the C62 you really will feel the earth move.......

Yes, have to say there was only time for so much. Original slot offered by the AA was strictly half an hour. However, in the end they put me towards the end of the day and I had the scope to over-run. I have to say that I do have a bad habit of taking longer than allowed on presentation. Are you thinking about purchasing the kit then?

Decided to upgrade to the far superior AIR-SPADE then...... Cannot believe you have struggled with the Soil Pick for so long.... If you are interested we can now do you a very good deal on the real thing. We are working with Fletcher Stuart (now the main importer of the AIR-SPADE) to provide users with technical support, spares backup and of course the full package of AIR-SPADE (complete with bomb proof flight case if desired ). We are also working on a dedicated training package for the use of AIR-SPADE, along with product support that includes details of all the PPE required. In addition to this we have recently gained dealer status for CompAIR who are a leading supplier of road compressors in the UK. We can therefor advise on the purchase of the right machine for the job and supply it direct to your door. For more information please call 0845 658 1400 or e-mail [email protected] .