Work in Progress

The TreeRadar system emerged as a result of 5 years dedicated research and development. The current system provides the user with an excellent non-invasive technique to detect and evaluate internal decay in tree stems and, perhaps even more importantly, identify and locate tree roots. The importance and complexity of this development should not be underestimated.

Consistent with the ongoing commitment to continually improve the system, the TreeWin™ off-line Analysis Software package is under constant scrutiny to add more customer-led features. As is often the case modification of the software is a relatively quick process. What takes the time is carrying out enough field work to ensure that such modifications produce accurate, reliable and repeatable data.

TreeRadar data is analyzed off-line and since one version is maintained on TreeRadar's server, the customer does not have to upgrade their software package every time modifications/improvements are introduced.

In addition, in the majority of cases, data analysis can be carried out on new versions of the software on data that has already been collected by the customer – there is no need to re-scan stems or roots for which survey data already exists.

The following work is currently underway on stem and root analysis software:

Stems

Improved Incipient Decay Detection with better definition of the Solid Wood/Compromised Wood boundary

An algorithm has been created that improves the detection of the boundary between incipient (early-stage) decay and solid wood, even in the absence of a hollow (total decay).  According to literature sources, up to 80% of wood strength can be lost when incipient decay exists.  Comparison of felled trees and tree coring samples to predicted internal conditions have shown good agreement between predicted and actual conditions.

3D Image of Internal Trunk

A software effort is underway to show the internal trunk in a 3D animated form based on the multi-elevation (usually four to six) circumferential scans normally conducted in a TRU trunk scan.  The 3D animated graphics would permit the viewer to visualize the trunk section scanned from a variety of different viewing angles.

ROOTS

Color Palette showing Root Depth Range on the Top-Down 3D Image

A number of TRU users have requested a means for showing the depth of detected roots in the top-down image.  A color palette showing the depth in discrete depth ranges will shortly be an added feature.

Creating Root Morphology Maps

The top-down (plan view) 3D root layout and density maps have been shown as a collection of dots indicating the location and depth (coordinates) of each detected root.  Many of our customers have requested that the dots be connected so that it is easier to visualize the root structure.  An algorithm has been developed that connects-the-dots automatically so that the top-down map truly looks like a root morphology map.  This “virtual excavation” is now operational.

Estimating Root Diameter Size

TreeRadar is presently working as part of a research team with a major US western university that is funded to study how ground-penetrating radar, in general, and the TRU system, in particular, can devise ways to estimate root diameter.  This is a very difficult task because roots bear no resemblance to regular underground structures, such as pipes, that are of a usually constant diameter, depth and orientation.  Roots do not necessarily become smaller as they radiate out from the stem nor do they grow in a regular way. 

Some of the factors that distinguish roots from other regular subsurface reflectors such as pipes include:  change in direction as they increase in distance from the stem, merge with other roots, split into two or more branches, intertwine with branches from other roots of the same tree or roots close-by trees, etc.  Additionally, the issue of distinguishing clusters of small diameter roots from a single large root is involved. 

Root diameter estimation is a difficult problem and the university research effort, along with data provided to TreeRadar from its TRU system owners using air spades to excavate portions of scanned surfaces, will help to identify these factors that create complex reflected signals and, ultimately, lead to algorithms that can cope with these signal factors.

Predicting Root Decay

This is probably the most customer requested feature to be added to the analysis software package. In theory it is possible to predict which roots are likely to be decayed but, understandably, much practical proving work is required prior to the general release of this feature.

Data obtained from the same studies described above for determining root diameter will also be used to develop algorithms for predicting the probability of root decay.  TreeRadar's goal is to establish the probability (likelihood) of root decay at different distances from the stem and to show this in a color contour map format.