German engineer to present tree decay detection workshop

German engineer Lothar Göcke of Aargus Electronic Gmbh will present sonic tomography during an April 19 workshop on tree decay detection at the Southern University Ag Center.

 
A principal engineer during development of sonic tomography since 1997, Göcke will discuss sonic tomography, electric impedance tomography, and static tree pulling tests for assessing tree stability.



Topics will include: sonic tomography for detection of tree decay; electric impedance tomography and how to use it in combination with sonic scans; instruments for tree pulling tests; and effects of Hurricanes on trees. 


On-site demonstration of the electric impedance tomography and pulling test instruments. 


The workshop begins at 10am in Room 138 of the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, A. O. Williams Hall, in Baton Rouge. (Directions at http://www.suagcenter.com/directions.html )


To participate, request a registration form from Dr. Yadong Qi, professor of urban forestry at yadong_qi(at)suagcenter.com or (225) 771-2242.

The workshop is free and open to the public. Hosted by the Southern University's Ag Center and and Urban Forestry Program. 


Photo by Joseph O'Brien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Technology helps homeowners, provides experiential learning

New technology that can depict structural defects in trees is available now at the Southern University Urban Forestry Program to assist homeowners in tree diagnosis.

Known as Tree Resistograph, the instrument measures wood resistance and can identify where decay, cracks and hollowness exist within tree trunks.

Recently, the Ag Center chancellor Leodrey Williams received a call from a homeowner concerned about
the structural soundness of two large water oak trees (3ft in diameter) in his backyard. Yadong Qi, Ph.D., professor of urban forestry, and Yongsheng Li, doctoral student, surveyed the site and tested the trees using the Resistograph.

The team discovered the main  trunks of both water oak trees were solid and sound, without decay at
the base. However, they suggested that the homeowner contact an arborist to prune the trees and
lighten up the crowns above.

The homeowner received the good news with a smile.

“The tree survey using the Tree Resistograph technology enhances our ability to help home owners in making informed decisions about their trees,” said Williams.

The Tree Resistograph has also been used in class lectures to provide hands-on experiential learning opportunities for urban forestry students at Southern University and A&M College. “This instrument
is a new addition to our existing Picus Sonic Tomography system which will augment our capacity to
conduct research, education and outreach in urban forestry,” said Qi.

The Picus Sonic Tomography is another technology that can detect the soundness and structural defects of tree trunks. Both instruments were funded by the SU HBGI program. For more information, contact Qi at yadong_qi@suagcenter.com.

Urban forestry expert speaks at international forum

Yadong Qi, PhD, professor of urban forestry, was an invited urban forest expert and speaker at the 6th China Urban Forest Forum in Hangzhou, China, last month. Qi presented “Current State of Urban and Community Forestry in the USA.” Her presentation was featured by Chinese premier websites and news agencies including the China Economy Daily News and its website, the State Forestry Administration of China website among others.

 The two-day forum attracted more than 400 attendants and was organized by the People’s Government of Hangzhou Municipality. The theme for this year’s international forum was “Urban Forest and Living Quality.”

In addition to attending the forum, Qi was invited by the Chinese Academy of Forestry to visit the mulch research and demonstration sites in Hangzhou, Nanjing and Beijing.

The mulch project is a collaborative project between Southern University Ag Center and Chinese Academy of Forestry. The goal of the project is to promote sound urban forestry practice and scientific and technical exchange in urban forestry. The project has been funded by the State Forestry Administration of China since 2005.  

Qi is the chief scientist and consultant on the US side. “I am so pleased to see the results of this collaborative research and demonstration project. It will significantly impact the urban forestry practice in

China, because prior to this research, mulch and its utilization were very little known to the Chinese urban foresters. This collaborative project will yield fruit promoting sound urban forestry practice in cities and towns of China,” said Qi.

According to Wang Cheng, PhD, director of the Chinese Academy of Forestry Center of Urban Forestry Research, “the project has involved various urban forestry practitioners from several municipalities, state and government as well as the graduate students from the Academy. The project has generated research data on mulch effects and utilization and produced a Technical Manual on Mulch Production and Utilization for China.” The sponsors of this year’s forum included: the State Forestry Administration of China, the Population, Resource and Environment Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province, and the Economic Daily.