Sustainable Management of Very Large Trees with the Use of Acoustic Tomography

Abstract

This manuscript summarizes the process by which large trees are protected in Poland, how they gain protected status, and the use of acoustic tomography to assess the structural soundness of five individual trees. The authors discuss tree stressors and tree care options, and how the outcome of each assessment was used in the decision-making process. Moreover, the use of acoustic tomography as an assessment tool helps to gain public acceptance for the assessment. In sustainable development, there is talk of the conscious management of urban vegetation, and specifically tree populations in the city. In line with sustainable development, actions are taken to manage the existing natural resources, e.g., historic trees, properly. Thanks to using an acoustic tomograph, it is possible to diagnose old tree specimens, take care of the safety of people and property near the natural monument, and to test candidates for their eligibility as monuments. Thanks to the research presented, it was ordered that one poplar tree be left and observed in Lublin, that two linden trees be cut down in Sandomierz and Lublin, that arborist works consisting of lowering the height of a linden tree in Sandomierz be undertaken, and that monument protection be applied for an ash tree in Łęczna. A visual tree assessment (VTA) was the starting point for this research. Each of the trees could endanger the safety of site users, and the diagnostics performed using sound waves were crucial in assessing their health condition. Our results highlight that acoustic tomography is an essential diagnostic method applicable to trees belonging to cultural heritage, such as old trees, and is effective in preventive tree management through the monitoring of mid- to long-term changes in internal decay or cavities that are difficult to diagnose with the naked eye.

Tomographic images of tree trunks generated using ultrasound and post-processed images: Influence of the number of measurement points

“…To avoid falls, especially from the action of winds, inspections are important. Among the methodologies used in tree inspections, acoustic tomography is very promising (Gilbert et al 2016;Palma et al 2018;Strobel et al 2018;Espinosa et al 2020, Dudkiewicz andDurlak 2021;Linhares et al 2021).…”

“…For the preparation of the tomographic image, wave propagation speed ranges are associated with colors. A thinner mesh produces a greater scope for the inspection inside the inspected element, as there will be a greater number of measurement routes (Divos and Divos 2005; Zhang and Khoshelham 2020; Espinosa et al 2020;Dudkiewicz and Durlak 2021), allowing the visualization of deteriorations in early stages (Gilbert et al 2016). However, increasing the number of theoretical measurement routes implies increasing the measurement points in the stem contour, which consequently increases field work (Espinosa et al 2020).…”

Distribution pattern of large old Ginkgo biloba in China under climate change scenarios

“…It aims to accurately identify, analyze, and predict the LOGT resource status, distribution characteristics, growth environment, and potential threats. The outputs can provide a scientific and effective basis for their protection and management (Dudkiewicz & Durlak, 2021 ). Additionally, advanced arboricultural techniques could be adopted to maintain the health and vitality of LOGTs, such as watering, drainage, fertilization, pest control, crown pruning, environmental improvement, and preventive protection.…”

A Combined Methods of Senile Trees Inventory in Sustainable Urban Greenery Management on the Example of the City of Sandomierz (Poland)

“…Monitoring and control should be carried out not only through visual assessment (VTA) but also with the use of modern technologies. Likewise, protecting historic trees includes entering them into the register of natural monuments [6,7].…”