Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Home
  • Content
    • Ahead of Print
    • Current Issue
    • Special Issues
    • All Issues
  • Contribute
    • Submit to AUF
    • Author Guidelines
    • Reviewer Guidelines
  • About
    • Overview
    • Editorial Board
    • Journal Metrics
    • International Society of Arboriculture
  • More
    • Contact
    • Feedback
  • Alerts

User menu

  • Log in

Search

  • Advanced search
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry
  • Log in
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry

Advanced Search

  • Home
  • Content
    • Ahead of Print
    • Current Issue
    • Special Issues
    • All Issues
  • Contribute
    • Submit to AUF
    • Author Guidelines
    • Reviewer Guidelines
  • About
    • Overview
    • Editorial Board
    • Journal Metrics
    • International Society of Arboriculture
  • More
    • Contact
    • Feedback
  • Alerts
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Research ArticleArticles

The Measurement of Wood Decay in Landscape Trees

Denise Johnstone, Gregory Moore, Michael Tausz and Marc Nicolas
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) May 2010, 36 (3) 121-127; DOI: https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2010.016
Denise Johnstone
Denise Johnstone (corresponding author), Department of Resource Management and Geography, School of Land and Environment, The University of Melbourne, 500 Yarra Boulevard, Richmond, Victoria, 3121, Australia,
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
  • For correspondence: [email protected]
Gregory Moore
Gregory Moore, Ph.D., Department of Resource Management and Geography, School of Land and Environment, The University of Melbourne, 500 Yarra Boulevard, Richmond, Victoria, 3121, Australia
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
Michael Tausz
Michael Tausz, Associate Professor, Department Forest and Ecosystem Science, School of Land and Environment, The University of Melbourne, Creswick, Victoria, Australia
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
Marc Nicolas
Marc Nicolas, Ph.D., Department of Agriculture and Food Systems, School of Land and Environment The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
  • Article
  • Info & Metrics
  • References
  • PDF
Loading

LITERATURE CITED

  1. ↵
    1. Axmon, J.,
    2. M. Hansson, and
    3. L. Sörnmo
    . 2004. Experimental study on the possibility of detecting internal decay in standing Picea abies by blind impact response analysis. Forestry 77:179–192.
    OpenUrlCrossRef
  2. ↵
    1. Beall, F., and
    2. W. Wilcox
    . 1987. Relationship of acoustic emission during radial compression to mass loss from decay. Forest Products Journal 37:38–42.
    OpenUrl
  3. ↵
    1. Bethge, K.,
    2. C. Mattheck, and
    3. E. Hunger
    . 1996. Equipment for detection and evaluation of incipient decay in trees. Arboricultural Journal 20:13–37.
    OpenUrl
  4. ↵
    1. Moore, G.,
    2. P. May,
    3. J. Hitchmough,
    4. J. Delpratt,
    5. P. Kenyon and
    6. P. Esdale
    1. Blazé, K.
    1992. Electronic assessment of tree condition. Scientific management of Plants in the Urban Environment. editors, Moore, G., P. May, J. Hitchmough, J. Delpratt, P. Kenyon and P. Esdale, Conference Proceedings. Melbourne, Centre for Urban Horticulture. pp. 135–145.
  5. ↵
    1. Bootle, K.R.
    2005. Wood in Australia (2nd Edition). Sydney, McGraw-Hill. 452 pp.
  6. ↵
    1. Bucur, V.
    2003. Nondestructive Characterization and Imaging of Wood. Berlin, Springer-Verlag. 354 pp.
  7. ↵
    1. Bucur, V.
    2006a. Acoustics of Wood (2nd Edition). Berlin, Springer-Verlag. 393 pp.
  8. ↵
    1. Bucur, V.
    2006b. Urban Forest Acoustics. Berlin, Springer-Verlag. 181 pp.
  9. ↵
    1. Bulleit, W. M., and
    2. R.H. Falk
    . 1985. Modeling stress wave passage times in wood utility poles. Wood Science and Technology 19:183–191.
    OpenUrl
  10. ↵
    1. Catena, A.
    2003. Thermography reveals hidden tree decay. Arboricultural Journal 27:27–42.
    OpenUrl
  11. ↵
    1. Catena, A., and
    2. G. Catena
    . 2008. Overview of thermal imaging for tree assessment. Arboricultural Journal 30:259–270.
    OpenUrl
  12. ↵
    1. Costello, L., and
    2. S. Quarles
    . 1999. Detection of wood decay in blue gum and elm: an evaluation of the IML-Resistograph and the portable drill. Journal of Arboriculture 25:311–317.
    OpenUrl
  13. ↵
    1. Deflorio, G.,
    2. S. Fink, and
    3. F.W.M.R. Schwarze
    . 2008. Detection of incipient decay in tree stems with sonic tomography after wounding and fungal infection. Wood Science Technology 42:117–132.
    OpenUrl
  14. ↵
    1. Dolwin, J.A.,
    2. D. Lonsdale, and
    3. J. Barnett
    . 1999. Detection of decay in trees. Arboricultural Journal 23:139–149.
    OpenUrl
  15. ↵
    1. Downes, G.M.,
    2. I.L. Hudson,
    3. C.A. Raymond,
    4. G.H Dean,
    5. A.J. Michell,
    6. L.R. Schimleck,
    7. R. Evans, and
    8. A. Muneri
    . 1997. Sampling Plantation Eucalypts for Wood and Fibre Properties. Canberra, CSIRO Publishing. 132 pp.
  16. ↵
    1. Giancoli, D.C.
    2005. Physics. Principles with Applications (6th Edition). New Jersey, Pearson Prentice Hall. 1004 pp.
  17. ↵
    1. Gilbert, E., and
    2. E. Smiley
    . 2004. Picus sonic tomography for the quantification of decay in white oak (Quercus alba) and hickory (Carya spp.). Journal of Arboriculture 30:277–281.
    OpenUrl
  18. ↵
    1. al Hagrey, S.
    2007. Geophysical imaging of root-zone, trunk, and moisture heterogeneity. Journal of Experimental Botany 58:839–854.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
  19. ↵
    1. Harris, R.W.
    1992. Arboriculture. Integrated Management of Landscape Trees, Shrubs, and Vines (2nd Edition). New Jersey, Prentice Hall. 674 pp.
  20. ↵
    1. Harris, R.W.,
    2. J.R. Clark, and
    3. N.P. Matheny
    . 2004. Arboriculture. Integrated Management of Landscape Trees, Shrubs, and Vines (4th Edition). New Jersey, Prentice Hall. 578 pp.
  21. ↵
    1. Helliwell, D.R.
    2007. A short note on effects of boring holes in trees. Arboricultural Journal 30:245–248.
    OpenUrl
  22. ↵
    1. Isik, F., and
    2. B. Li
    . 2003. Rapid assessment of wood density of live trees using the IML-Resistograph for selection in tree improvement programs. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 33:2426–2435.
    OpenUrl
  23. ↵
    1. Johnstone, D.M.
    2005. The field assessment of wood decay and wood density in eucalypts. Master of Forest Science Thesis. Melbourne, University of Melbourne. 221 pp.
  24. ↵
    1. Johnstone, D.M.,
    2. P.K. Ades,
    3. G.M. Moore, and
    4. I.W. Smith
    . 2007. Predicting wood decay in eucalypts using an expert system and the IML-Resistograph drill. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 33:76–82.
    OpenUrl
  25. ↵
    1. Kersten, W., and
    2. F.W.M.R. Schwarze
    . 2005. Development of decay in the sapwood of trees wounded by the use of decay-detecting devises. Arboricultural Journal 28:165–181.
    OpenUrl
  26. ↵
    1. Larsson, B.,
    2. B. Bengtsson, and
    3. M. Gustafsson
    . 2004. Nondestructive detection of decay in trees. Tree Physiology 24:853–858.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  27. ↵
    1. Lawday, G., and
    2. P.A. Hodges
    . 2000. The analytical use of stress waves for the detection of decay in standing trees. Forestry 73:447–456.
    OpenUrlCrossRef
  28. ↵
    1. Lin, C.-J.,
    2. Y.-C. Kao,
    3. T.-T. Lin,
    4. M.-J. Tsai,
    5. S.-Y. Wang,
    6. L.-D. Lin,
    7. Y.-N. Wang, and
    8. M.-H. Chan
    . 2008. Application of an ultrasonic tomographic technique for detecting defects in standing trees. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 62:434–441.
    OpenUrl
  29. ↵
    1. Lin, C.-J.,
    2. S.-Y. Wang,
    3. F.-C. Lin, and
    4. M.-C. Chiu
    . 2003. Effect of moisture content on drill resistance value in Taiwania plantation wood. Wood and Fiber Science 35:234–248.
    OpenUrl
  30. ↵
    1. Lonsdale, D.
    1999. Principles of Tree Risk Assessment and Management. London, The Stationery Office. 388 pp.
  31. ↵
    1. Lorenz, R.C.
    1944. Discolorations and decay resulting from increment borings in hardwoods. Journal of Forestry 42:37–43.
    OpenUrl
  32. ↵
    1. van Mantgem, P.J., and
    2. N.L. Stephenson
    . 2004. Does coring contribute to tree mortality? Canadian Journal of Forest Research 34:2394–2398.
    OpenUrl
  33. ↵
    1. Matheny, N.P., and
    2. J.R. Clark
    . 1994. A Photographic Guide to the Evaluation of Risk Trees in Urban Areas, International Society of Arboriculture, Champaign, IL, U.S.A. 85 pp.
  34. ↵
    1. Matheny, N.,
    2. J. Clark,
    3. D. Attewell,
    4. K. Hillery,
    5. A. Graham, and
    6. G. Posner
    . 1999. Assessment of fracture moment and fracture angle in 25 tree species in the United States using the fractometer. Journal of Arboriculture 25:18–23.
    OpenUrl
  35. ↵
    1. Mattheck, C.
    2007. Updated Field Guide for Visual Tree Assessment. Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe Research Center, 170 pp.
  36. ↵
    1. Mattheck, C., and
    2. K. Bethge
    . 1993. Detection of decay in trees with the metriguard stress wave timer. Journal of Arboriculture 19:374–378.
    OpenUrl
  37. ↵
    1. Mattheck, C., and
    2. H. Breloer
    . 1994. Field guide for visual tree assessment (VTA). Arboricultural Journal 18:1–23.
    OpenUrl
  38. ↵
    1. Mattheck, C.G.,
    2. H. Breloer,
    3. K.A. Bethge,
    4. W.A. Albrecht, and
    5. A.W. Zipse
    . 1995. Use of the fractometer to determine the strength of wood with incipient decay. Journal of Arboriculture 21:105–112.
    OpenUrl
  39. ↵
    1. Mattheck, C.,
    2. K. Bethge, and
    3. W. Albrecht
    . 1997. How to read the results of Resistograph M. Arboricultural Journal 21:331–346.
    OpenUrl
  40. ↵
    1. Maurer, C.,
    2. S.I. Schubert,
    3. F. Bächle,
    4. S. Clauss,
    5. D. Gsell,
    6. J. Dual, and
    7. P. Niemz
    . 2006. A simple anisotropy correction procedure for acoustic wood tomography. Holzforschung 60:567–573.
    OpenUrl
  41. ↵
    1. Mishiro, A.
    1996. Effect of density on ultrasonic velocity in wood. Mokuzai Gakkaishi 42:887–894.
    OpenUrl
  42. ↵
    1. Moore, W.
    1999. The combined use of the Resistograph and the Shigometer for the accurate mapping and diagnosis of the internal condition of woody support organs of trees. Arboricultural Journal 23: 273–287.
    OpenUrl
  43. ↵
    1. Mortimer, M.J., and
    2. B. Kane
    . 2004. Risk tree liability in the United States: Uncertain risks for owners and professionals. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 2:159–165.
    OpenUrl
  44. ↵
    1. Nicolotti, G., and
    2. P. Miglietta
    . 1998. Using high-technology instruments to assess defects in trees. Journal of Arboriculture 24:297–302.
    OpenUrl
  45. ↵
    1. Nicolotti, G.,
    2. L.V. Socco,
    3. R. Martinis,
    4. A. Godio, and
    5. L. Sambuelli
    . 2003. Application and comparison of three tomographic techniques for detection of decay in trees. Journal of Arboriculture 29:66–77.
    OpenUrl
  46. ↵
    1. Ouis, D.
    2003. Non-destructive techniques for detecting decay in standing trees. Arboricultural Journal 27:159–177.
    OpenUrl
  47. ↵
    1. Pollard, H. F., and
    2. R.W. Harris
    . 1968. Introductory Physical Acoustics. Sydney, New South Wales University Press. 105 pp
  48. ↵
    1. Rabe, C.,
    2. D. Ferner,
    3. S. Fink, and
    4. F.W.M.R. Schwarze
    . 2004. Detection of decay in trees with stress waves and interpretation of acoustic picus images. Arboricultural Journal 28:3–19.
    OpenUrl
  49. ↵
    1. Rinn, F.,
    2. F.H. Schweingruber, and
    3. E. Schar
    . 1996. Resistograph and X-ray density charts of wood comparative evaluation of drill resistance profiles and X-ray density charts of different wood species. Holzforschung 50:303–311.
    OpenUrl
  50. ↵
    1. M. Lemattre,
    2. P. Lemattre, and
    3. F. Lemaire
    1. Sandoz, J.L.
    1999. Standing tree quality assessments using ultrasound. International Symposium on Urban Tree Health. M. Lemattre, P. Lemattre, and F. Lemaire (Eds.). Conference Proceedings. Acta Hortculturae 496:269–277.
    OpenUrl
  51. ↵
    1. Schubert, S.,
    2. D. Gsell,
    3. J. Dual,
    4. M. Motavalli, and
    5. P. Niemz
    . 2009. Acoustic wood tomography on trees and the challenge of wood heterogeneity. Holzforschung 63:107–112.
    OpenUrl
  52. ↵
    1. Schwarze, F.W.M.R.
    , 2008. Diagnosis and Prognosis of the Development of Wood Decay in Urban Trees. Rowville, Enspec 336 pp
  53. ↵
    1. Schwarze, F.W.M.R.,
    2. J. Engels, and
    3. C. Mattheck
    . 2000. Fungal Strategies of Wood Decay in Trees. Berlin, Springer-Verlag. 185 pp
  54. ↵
    1. Schwarze, F.W.M.R., and
    2. C. Heuser
    . 2006. Stem wounds - potential entry courts for wood decay fungi? Arboricultural Journal 29:101–119.
    OpenUrl
  55. ↵
    1. S.J. Hodge
    1. Seaby, D.A.
    1991. Recent advances in detection of wood decay. Research for Practical Arboriculture. S.J. Hodge (Ed.). University of York, HMSO. 3:168–176.
    OpenUrl
  56. ↵
    1. Shigo, A.L.
    1979. Tree decay: an expanded concept. USDA Forest Service Information Bulletin 419. 72pp.
  57. ↵
    1. Shigo, A.L., and
    2. W.C. Shortle
    . 1985. Spruce Budworms Handbook: Shigometry - A Reference Guide. Agriculture Handbook No 646: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Cooperative State Research Service. 48pp.
  58. ↵
    1. Shigo, A.L.
    1991. Modern Arboriculture, Shigo & Trees, New Hampshire. 421pp.
  59. ↵
    1. Smiley, E. T., and
    2. B.R. Fraedrich
    . 1992. Determining strength loss from decay. Journal of Arboriculture 18:201–204.
    OpenUrl
  60. ↵
    1. Socco, L.V.,
    2. L. Sambuelli,
    3. R. Martinis,
    4. E. Comino, and
    5. G. Nicolotti
    . 2004. Feasibility of ultrasonic tomography for nondestructive testing of decay on living trees. Research in Nondestructive Evaluation 15:31–54.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
  61. ↵
    1. G. Nicolotti and
    2. P. Gonthier
    1. Toussaint, A.,
    2. J.P. Baudoin,
    3. B. Campanella, and
    4. R. Paul
    . 2004. The impact of Resistograph on tree decay. International Congress on the Trees of History. G. Nicolotti and P. Gonthier (Eds.). Conference Proceedings. Torino, Università di Torino. pp. 148–150.
  62. ↵
    1. Wade, P.J.
    1975. The Fujikura-Arborsonic Decay Detector Concept, Development & Operation. Fujikura Europe Limited. 11 pp.
  63. ↵
    1. Wang, X.,
    2. R.B. Allison,
    3. L. Wang, and
    4. R.J. Ross
    . 2007. Acoustic tomography for decay detection in red oak trees. Research Paper FPL-RP-642. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. 7 pp.
  64. ↵
    1. Wang, X., and
    2. R.B. Allison
    . 2008. Decay detection in red oak trees using a combination of visual inspection, acoustic testing, and resistance microdrilling. Arboriculture and Urban Forestry 34:1–4.
    OpenUrl
  65. ↵
    1. Wang, X,
    2. J. Wiedenbeck, and
    3. S Liang
    . 2009. Acoustic tomography for decay detection in black cherry trees. Wood and Fiber Science 41:127–137.
    OpenUrl
  66. ↵
    1. Weber, K., and
    2. C. Mattheck
    . 2006. The effects of excessive drilling diagnosis on decay propagation in trees. Trees Structure and Function 20:224–228.
    OpenUrl
  67. ↵
    1. Wilkes, J., and
    2. W.A. Heather
    . 1983. Correlation of resistance to a pulsed current with several wood properties in living eucalypts. New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science 13:139–135.
    OpenUrl
  68. ↵
    1. Wilson, P. J.,
    2. J.D. Allen, and
    3. J.C.F. Walker
    . 1982. Appraisal of the Shigometer Technique. New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science 12:86–95.
    OpenUrl
  69. ↵
    1. Yamaguchi, T.,
    2. K. Sasaki, and
    3. Y. Sakamoto
    . 2001. Evaluation of a stress-wave timer for the minimally destructive detection of decay in living trees in northern-Japan forests. Journal of Forest Research 6:117–120.
    OpenUrl
  70. ↵
    1. Xu, Z.,
    2. T.D. Leininger,
    3. J.G Williams, and
    4. F.H Tainter
    . 2000. Examination of the arborsonic decay detector for detecting bacterial wetwood in red oaks. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry 24:6–10.
    OpenUrl
PreviousNext
Back to top

In this issue

Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF): 36 (3)
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF)
Vol. 36, Issue 3
May 2010
  • Table of Contents
  • Table of Contents (PDF)
  • Index by author
Print
Download PDF
Email Article

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word on Arboriculture & Urban Forestry.

NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
The Measurement of Wood Decay in Landscape Trees
(Your Name) has sent you a message from Arboriculture & Urban Forestry
(Your Name) thought you would like to see the Arboriculture & Urban Forestry web site.
Citation Tools
The Measurement of Wood Decay in Landscape Trees
Denise Johnstone, Gregory Moore, Michael Tausz, Marc Nicolas
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) May 2010, 36 (3) 121-127; DOI: 10.48044/jauf.2010.016

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Share
The Measurement of Wood Decay in Landscape Trees
Denise Johnstone, Gregory Moore, Michael Tausz, Marc Nicolas
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) May 2010, 36 (3) 121-127; DOI: 10.48044/jauf.2010.016
del.icio.us logo Twitter logo Facebook logo Mendeley logo
  • Tweet Widget
  • Facebook Like
  • Google Plus One
Bookmark this article

Jump to section

  • Article
    • Abstract
    • ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY METERS
    • CONSTANT FEED DRILLS
    • SINGLE PULSE SONIC AND ULTRASONIC TECHNIQUES
    • BREAKING CORE SAMPLES
    • COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
    • CONCLUSION
    • Acknowledgments
    • LITERATURE CITED
  • Info & Metrics
  • References
  • PDF

Related Articles

  • No related articles found.
  • Google Scholar

Cited By...

  • No citing articles found.
  • Google Scholar

More in this TOC Section

  • Right Appraisal for the Right Purpose: Comparing Techniques for Appraising Heritage Trees in Australia and Canada
  • Urban Tree Mortality: The Purposes and Methods for (Secretly) Killing Trees Suggested in Online How-To Videos and Their Diagnoses
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in Tree Risk Assessment (TRA): A Systematic Review
Show more Articles

Similar Articles

Keywords

  • Risk trees
  • tree failure
  • tree risk analysis
  • wood decay

© 2025 International Society of Arboriculture

Powered by HighWire