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Comparative evaluation of inspection techniques for decay detection in urban trees
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1  Department of Agriculture, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Feo di Vito, 89122, Reggio Calabria, Italy.

Abstract:

Green areas in cities are acquiring an increasingly important role in urban architecture. However, the central problem associated with urban trees is the need to know and evaluate the health of plants in order to ensure the safety and security of citizens. One important process consists of the technical assessment of health conditions of standing trees, in order to prevent falling due to strength failure or internal damage caused by internal decay. In recent years, investigations with non-destructive techniques on urban trees have shown great success in detecting internal decay, which, depending on the severity of the case, makes the stability of the entire plant or parts of it precarious. This study reports the results of applying an inspection protocol that combines, single-path stress wave timer and resistance micro-drilling, to detect internal defects on sizable Melia trees (Melia azedarach L.) located in the city ​​of Reggio Calabria, Southern Italy. From the trees subsequently felled, a disc was obtained in each test position, which is visually examined. It was found through the data obtained that the non-destructive analyzes carried out with single-path stress waves and resistance measuring drill, correctly identified a defect in the wood even if with different specificity depending on the method used.

Keywords: wood quality, VTA, acoustic velocity, wood defects
Comments on this paper
Rachele Venanzi
information about
Dear Authors, in your opinion, to increase the number of radial directions, could change the results?If so, in what way?Many thanks for your replay
RV
Jeachul Jang
Thanks for your interesting question. Due to their characteristic, rapid methods require a limited number of measurements and for this reason the tests simulated a normal condition of relief. A greater number of surveys would favor the identification of any anomalies in the woody tissues of slight or modest dimensions. However, a greater number of investigations would not change the correlation between the two instrumental systems used.
Salvatore Papandrea
Thanks for your interesting question. Due to their characteristic, rapid methods require a limited number of measurements and for this reason the tests simulated a normal condition of relief. A greater number of surveys would favor the identification of any anomalies in the woody tissues of slight or modest dimensions. However, a greater number of investigations would not change the correlation between the two instrumental systems used.

Rachele Venanzi
Thanks
many thanks for your replay! RV

Rodolfo Picchio
Session Chair comment
Dear Authors,

I congratulate you for the case study presented. Urban forest, green areas and roadside trees are increasingly gaining an undeniably essential role to ensure environmental, social and aesthetic benefits for people living in the city area and surroundings. At the same time, the investigation of health conditions for standing trees is crucial to maintain such benefits in a framework of safety for citizens and operators. This study investigates the quality of technical assessment through non-destructive techniques, in order to preserve the overall value of the single standing tree, as well as assuring and fulfilling all the security parameters for its stability. I hope to read further developments of this research soon.

Session Chair

Rodolfo Picchio
Salvatore Papandrea
Dear prof. Picchio, thank you on behalf of all the authors, for the congratulations received. This research study is the first of a series of instrumental investigations launched to certify the safety and quality of urban trees. Trees and urban greenery produce a wide range of benefits for the psychophysical health of people and for the improvement of the environment (ecosystem services). Thanks to these investigations it is possible to evaluate the static aspect of the standing tree while preserving its physiological health and to intervene in case of instability to safeguard public safety.
Thanking you again, I send you our compliments for the perfect and accurate organization of this important WEB conference which, in such a difficult period for all, has allowed the scientific community to interact virtually, waiting to return to normalcy and physical contact.

Papandrea Salvatore Francesco



 
 
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