Forest Research @Forest_Research Stem cracks are defects in firs and conifers. Affected timber isn’t suitable for structural uses, reducing value.
We’re researching this. Snr Scientist Ruben Manso explains why and asks forestry professionals to report cracks using TreeAlert.
🔗 https://forestresearch.gov.uk/news/139764-stem-cracks-in-conifers-report-it-via-treealert/ https://pic.x.com/kabfzsdnse
Replying to @Forest_Research
I carved wood for several decades and my first thought seeing those cracks in living trees – “those trees are drying out, and will probably die. They are dehydrated or stressed.”
If so, check ALL trees in a random sample to estimate measures of health of all trees, not just the ones with obvious cracks. At least do a survey to scan many trees randomly to see the state of the trees.
You can use many 3D volumetric imaging methods now. Ultrasound, MRI (there are portable methods), CT x-ray (also portable), mm wave, thermal (long wavelength infrared can show tiny cracks or stressed cells. I bet IPhone lidar might give data that can be machine learned to look for stress measures. I bet the color of the bark is changing in subtle ways. LOTS of non-destructive ways. And I did not even spend an hour or two looking at ( “non-destructive” “health” “trees” ) which has 866,000 entries today.
Check pH, salinity, conductivity – things that show at a non-destructive scan how EVERY tree is doing – and then see if those with cracks are dying.
Compton Tucker at Goddard Space Flight Center is still looking at trees using high resolution satellite multispectral images. He provided the vegetative index images for the Famine Early Warning System (FEWS.net) project when I was Director in that first couple of years setting it up. Sensors are one of the hot growth parts of the Internet so for the last 38 years I keep track of those kinds of technology – looking for low cost (price and learning and application) methods.
Filed as (Remote and non-destructive indicators for trees at risk of cracking)
Don’t just report obvious ones. Survey and gather data on health of all trees to put it into perspective. Before whole forests die, check if they are running a temperature or sick. There must be 12-16 bit LWIR cameras now you can plug into a cell phone. Make your own. Lots of resources, but you have to organize them.
Richard Collins, The Internet Foundation
