by Hari
We gathered quite a bit of research material from various websites and had a number of discussions with my team mates but we really wanted to learn from a real tree care expert. We also wanted to validate if our idea of building an app that can help identify a hazard tree is cool and that such an app doesn’t exist already. One of the parents contacted the tree experts from Davey Tree Expert Company (http://www.davey.com/ ) . Sean Johnson from Davey graciously agreed to talk to us.
Here are some of notes from that meeting I thought were quite interesting. Decay and internal defects can be detected by an instrument called ‘Resistograph’ (http://www.savatree.com/resistograph.html) . It is based on a simple principle that measures a tree’s resistance to a thin drill. The change in variations of the drill speeds is captured on a graph. It helps estimate the stability and longevity of a tree. Once the drill is taken out, the tree covers it up naturally. Sean demonstrated resistograph and discussed various ways helps him in his job. Before this instrument was invented, arborists used plastic mallets to detect decay by tapping the suspected areas of a tree.
We also learned that decay or defects can be caused by insects that bring disease by contact. Pruning the tree appropriately also helps a tree to be healthy, stable. Location of a tree or where it is planted has a big impact on the way it grows. If it is too close to concrete floors, the roots cannot grow into the ground to the depth that is required to support the tree height and weight. This makes the tree vulnerable during storms or heavy winds. We discussed a number of other topics like the age, diameter, size of the canopy, the depth of roots, location etc. also play a big part in tree’s health.
We found out there is no technology or intelligent application that can detect or identify a hazard tree easily today. It requires a good amount of knowledge and expertise but we believe technology can help. Sean told us that there is no app or technology out there that can do what we set out to do in our research project. This meeting helped us validate our idea as viable. Sean also agreed to assist us as we make progress in building our app. We sincerely appreciate Davey for their support and Sean for his time and patience answering all our questions. A number of our questions were probably silly but we felt good that we got an opportunity to interact directly with an arborist..
Here are some of notes from that meeting I thought were quite interesting. Decay and internal defects can be detected by an instrument called ‘Resistograph’ (http://www.savatree.com/resistograph.html) . It is based on a simple principle that measures a tree’s resistance to a thin drill. The change in variations of the drill speeds is captured on a graph. It helps estimate the stability and longevity of a tree. Once the drill is taken out, the tree covers it up naturally. Sean demonstrated resistograph and discussed various ways helps him in his job. Before this instrument was invented, arborists used plastic mallets to detect decay by tapping the suspected areas of a tree.
We also learned that decay or defects can be caused by insects that bring disease by contact. Pruning the tree appropriately also helps a tree to be healthy, stable. Location of a tree or where it is planted has a big impact on the way it grows. If it is too close to concrete floors, the roots cannot grow into the ground to the depth that is required to support the tree height and weight. This makes the tree vulnerable during storms or heavy winds. We discussed a number of other topics like the age, diameter, size of the canopy, the depth of roots, location etc. also play a big part in tree’s health.
We found out there is no technology or intelligent application that can detect or identify a hazard tree easily today. It requires a good amount of knowledge and expertise but we believe technology can help. Sean told us that there is no app or technology out there that can do what we set out to do in our research project. This meeting helped us validate our idea as viable. Sean also agreed to assist us as we make progress in building our app. We sincerely appreciate Davey for their support and Sean for his time and patience answering all our questions. A number of our questions were probably silly but we felt good that we got an opportunity to interact directly with an arborist..