Tree experts warms to thermal imaging
Tree experts from across the country visited Paignton Zoo Environmental Park recently to catch up on the latest developments in arboriculture – including news of a revolutionary use for heat-seeking cameras.
Top tree surgeons, consultants and specialists gathered to hear from leaders in the field including Andrew Cowan, David Lonsdale and Cassian Humphreys. The two day seminar, Physiology, Ecology and Thermal Imaging, was held recently at Paignton Zoo. The event was organized jointly by arborculturalist Andrew Cowan and Kevin Frediani of Paignton Zoo, who previously worked together on the management of ancient trees and their habitat for bats.
The two day seminar began with an overview of the current understanding of how trees grow and develop. Andrew Cowan of ThermoEcology, based in Kent, said: “Traditionally, tree studies have focussed on the parts of the tree above ground, because they are easy to see and explain. Modern technology such as thermal imaging is helping to open up the hidden world of the tree so we can understand what is going on from a whole system perspective.”
Dr. David Lonsdale is an independent arboricultural consultant and a recognized authority on tree biology, tree failure and remedial works. He is one of the authors of the newly revised British Standard in Tree Care, and explained current thinking on best practice in the field, introducing ideas learnt from studying ancient trees.
Cassian Humphreys, an Australian arborist, discussed lessons learned after the Brisbane storms of 2008, which decimated a huge area. He found that many ancient trees survived better than vigorous young trees, leading him to query things he had been taught in Australia and to search out new information gained form the study of ancient trees in the UK and Europe.
The session devoted to thermal imaging led by Dr. Marcus Bellert-Travers excited special interest, showing how the technique can now be used as a tool to provide non-invasive diagnosis and to identify functional and damaged wood.
Paignton Zoo Curator of Plants and Gardens Kevin Frediani said: “We were very pleased to host this seminar. The work on thermal imaging – thermography – was especially fascinating. Things like decay change the patterns and movement of heat within wood. Using modern thermal imaging equipment and the latest computer software to interpret what we discover gives us a whole new way of finding out about the health and condition of a tree. It means we can make better-informed decisions about how to manage and maintain trees in the landscape without a high risk to people.
“In this age of litigation it is becoming harder for the owners and managers of trees to justify keeping old trees. This is a tragedy, as trees provide more value to other organisms as they age and begin to decline as part of their natural life cycle.”
Kevin hopes that, through a better understanding of tree biology and through improved techniques of measurment, a new generation of tree managers will be able to maintain trees for longer in the landscape without fear that they will fail and cause injury to people or damage to property.
Kevin: “I hope that by hosting workshops like these for professional arborists, more provision can be made for wildlife in the landscape without fear of increased exposure to risk or fear of prosecution.
“In the past we have worked with Dr. Chris Lavers at Britannia Royal Naval College on using thermal imaging on animals and we held an innovative exhibition of his photos here. Now we are turning our attention to trees.”
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is a registered charity. For more information go to www.paigntonzoo.org.uk or ring (01803) 697500.
ENDS
Philip Knowling 01803 697568
