Sonic Tomograph by PICUS

The Tomograph (fig 1) shows a scan of a diseased beech tree. When subsequently felled the corresponding decay, which amounted to over 30% of the timber, can be clearly seen in the photograph (fig 2) of a cross section of the stem.

Detection by other means would probably have failed to show the true extent of the decay of this tree, which, to outward cursory examination, appeared healthy and sound. The only external evidence of the problem was some slight thinning of foliage and a small fungus bracket on one of the buttress roots.

PICUS Tomograph can be used either at ground level as seen in fig. 3 or high in the crown of a tree. It is thus possible, using multiple readings, to assess accurately the condition of the entire stem of a tree if required.