Hello there I wonder if you can help me.

I have stumbled on this website in my search for trying to find out if my Tree Surgeon is being 100% frank with me.

He has suggested that we carry out some resistograph tests in our garden. The trees in question are large and mature but basically solid looking.

Is it always a good idea to carry out these tests to ensure that should a hurricane come along you do not get a tree in your living room or is my tree surgeon being a little "overly" cautious?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cam

Reply to post by Cam, on November 09, 2000 at 03:46:51:

Resistograph tests will allow the user and hopefully you as well, to see whether or not the tree is sound all the way through, and if not, how much is lost to decay, and where.

The Resistograph is a very sophisticated tool but the user must still have a very good understanding of the basics before relying on the instrument. However, looks alone are often deceiving. A combined basic and sophisticate aproach works well, but relies on judgement and experience to be really useful.

Julian Dunster

Reply to post by Cam, on November 09, 2000 at 03:46:51:

The purpose of the Resistograph is to provide evidence of internal defects that can't be seen from the surface. Just because a tree looks healthy from the outside doesn't mean there are no defects. The canopy can be quite healthy, and the trunk can look sound, but there may be internal decay that leaves the tree susceptible to failure.

On the other hand, it is not always necessary to test every tree. In many cases there are indications of possible internal defects. I can't second-guess your arborist and his reasons for suggesting the tests. But a careful examination of the trees in other ways might indicate whether they all need to be tested.