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 Hodge, S. J. A1 Boswell, R. A1 Knott, K. 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.