TreeRadar - MRI for Trees

A major step in the application of arboricultural mitigating procedures to prolong the life of trees.

Much like an MRI solves a critical medical need for very high-resolution, non-invasive imaging of the body, the Tree Radar Unit (TRU™) radar imaging system creates the same type of high-resolution, non-invasive image of the internal structure of a tree and its root mass. This image fills a critical gap in the quantitative analysis of tree health and structural integrity.

TreeRadar has developed the patented TRU system for tree diagnosis that represents a novel application of ground penetrating radar (GPR) technology. GPR is an established technology that is used worldwide to non-destructively investigate subsurface objects.

Here, "subsurface" means "below the bark", i.e., inside the solid wood, or "below the grade", i.e., root bed, for the trunk and subsurface scans, respectively.

The actual situation of the trunk and the analysis results

remaining wood thickness

Application Literature:

[1] Cai Shize, Le Xiaowei, et al. Distribution characteristics and protection strategies of coarse roots of three common ancient trees in Shanghai [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University, 2017, 35(4):7-14.

[2] Liu Xingdan, Kang Yongxiang, et al. Research on the heart rot of ancient arborvitae tree trunks in Huangdi Mausoleum [J]. Journal of Northwest Forestry University, 2017, 32(2):180-187.

[3] Wen Jian, Li Weilin, et al. Research on Radar Detection of Internal Defects in Living Wood [J]. Journal of Agricultural Machinery, 2017, 48(10):180-188.

[4] Gu Tanghua, Yan Wei, et al. Effects of soil improvement on the root system of cherry blossoms [J]. China Urban Forestry, 2017, 15(4):21-25.