RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Development of the Steel Rod Technique for the Assessment of Aeration in Urban Soils
JF Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF)
JO JOA
FD International Society of Arboriculture
SP 281
OP 288
DO 10.48044/jauf.1993.045
VO 19
IS 5
A1 S. J. Hodge
A1 R. Boswell
A1 K. Knott
YR 1993
UL http://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/19/5/281.abstract
AB Diagnosis of poor performance in urban trees requires means of evaluating soil aeration. A technique using 60 cm long steel rods inserted into the ground has been developed into an effective and practical means of assessing the vertical and spatial distribution of soil aeration in urban soils; even those covered by hard surfaces. A laboratory study verified the interpretation of the four types of corrosion found on steel rods with respect to soil aeration, although the presence of uncorroded metal could not be clearly related to suitability for root growth. A field study indicated that the best numerical reflections of soil aeration are the total presence of corrosion types indicative of inhospitable soil conditions, and the contrast between inhospitable conditions in the top 30 cm and the bottom 30 cm of the rod.