Decay Detection

Decay and cavities are part and parcel of a trees lifecycle. Over time various wood decaying fungi will inevitably colonise a tree, wood decaying fungi digest various parts of a trees building blocks known as lignin and cellulose, leading to cavities in the trunk etc.  This tree and fungal love hate relationship has been going on for millions of years.  In a trees natural setting i.e., forests and woodlands, wood decaying fungi are an extremely important part of the forest ecosystem.

In the forest it’s usually older mature trees that become a host to wood decaying fungi, the cavities that follow become homes to all manner of wildlife from the smallest insect to larger mammals.

In time however, a decaying tree will fail, the heavy crown may collapse, due to the extent of the cavity created, decay may develop within the root system and it may become victim to wind-throw.  This isn’t a bad thing in the forest setting as the space and light left by a large fallen veteran tree will create an ideal growing environment much needed by younger trees.  Some fallen trees such as willow will simply regrow; the smaller branches will grow, send out roots and develop into large trees.

Our problem is wood decaying fungi do not differentiate between the forest and urban environments, its vital that large mature urban trees are inspected for internal decay, monitoring is essential.

RESISTOGRAPH

To help us determine the amount of decay within a tree , we use the latest in technology, we use the Resistograph micro drill, basically the micro drill measures the amount of resistance it takes to penetrate the trunk, the data is collected on waxed graph paper ‘in the field’ there and then. Our Resistograph and decay monitoring, has saved many trees from unnecessary felling and on the same token we have averted a few potential catastrophic tree failures.

We offer our Resistograph services Nationwide, if you would like more info on the procedure and service we will be only too happy to help.