Decay dectection equipment

hi,

I am busy in the process studying for my tech cert and at the moment I am covering decay dectection equipment. There are many pieces of equipment mentioned but I was wondering whats generally being used out in the field at the moment. Any advantages and disadvantages would be interesting. Ow by the way this is not a piece of course work I am trying to get other people to answer for me!

cheers steve

I have used every item out there and nothing comes close to a nylon hammer, and an experienced ear.

I have used every item out there and nothing comes close to a nylon hammer, and an experienced ear.

might be true, doesnt look as good on a report as a nice thermal print out though eh

might be true, doesnt look as good on a report as a nice thermal print out though eh

Problem is more tree officers are finding out about the ease to misinturpret these images and the short fallings of the machines.

ive felled countless beech which have showed up as rotten and have been relatively sound, and vice versa

Problem for our biz is Steve if i reccomend a picus etc at say £350+ and cant guarantee that the results will allow the tree to be felled i look like a numpty, whereas i can meet a tree officer on site for 2 mins give it a few taps with a hammer and chat proving that it needs to be removed for a tenth of the price.

Not so easy to tap above 7ft or the rootplate below soil level. Takes quite a bit of time to do carefully even Mike 'the tree tapper' Ellison spotted that advantage

They are empirical systems that should be used in association with one another, one after the other perhaps depending on the value of the tree or the dosh/wishes of the client....Are they not all with their merits and weak points...?

Steve,

I currently use a Digital micro probe (which superceded my use of the arborsonic) to provide a visual back up to sounding.

I have trialled using Picus.

If when budget allows, I will be seeking training and/or bringing in Thermal Imaging.

.

Not so easy to tap above 7ft or the rootplate below soil level. Takes quite a bit of time to do carefully even Mike 'the tree tapper' Ellison spotted that advantage

Are you going to tell me about the advantages of thermal imaging now ?

Actually it is extremely easy to tap above 7ft, i like to use Arborist methods (Rope & Harness). I have used decay detection above ground level, the dificulties and constraints make it in most cases financially viable. The only time it is useful is for say using a picus to determine the extents of a cavity for the relocation of a section of tree that may have bats in it.