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Educational Sessions
Tree Risk Assessment
The Impact of Drilling to Detect Decay on the Spread of Decay
Tuesday, 11 August 2015
9:30 AM — 10:10 AM
Osceola Ballroom C
A, T, M, L, Bs
Drilling of tree trunks is an advanced tree risk assessment methodology used to quantify the amount of decay present in the tree. While this is a very useful technique there is the potential for decay to spread in the holes that were drilled. In this research project, two tree species, red maple and tulip poplar were drilled with a small diameter drill bit and a resistance recording drill. Holes were treated with traditional fungicides, microbial fungicides (Trichoderma), or left untreated. After four years, all of the trees were removed and sectioned. The extent of discoloration and decay was measured, and treatments were compared. This talk will present the results of that research project and propose methodology to reduce the impact of drill to detect decay.
Presenter Information
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Tom Smiley
Dr. Tom Smiley is an arboricultural researcher at the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory in Charlotte, NC and an adjunct professor of Urban Forestry at Clemson University. Dr. Smiley is active in the arboriculture industry and has co-authored the ISA’s Best Management Practices for Tree Risk Assessment, Lightning Protection, Fertilization, Support Systems, Soil Mangement and Construction Management. His research has lead to improved methods of increasing sidewalk longevity near trees, protecting more trees from lightning damage, improving tree root growth in compacted soil using the patented Root Invigoration process, and predicting tree failures.