Having worked as a ‘tree surgeon’ before swapping the chainsaw for the pen, Paul is able to offer aerial tree inspections using a rope and harness to access all parts of a tree’s canopy. Although recommendations for climbed inspections are relatively rare, sometimes they are necessary in order to investigate suspected defects that cannot be fully appreciated from terra firma.
Using a resistograph during a climbing inspection
In April 2013 Paul was commissioned to carry out an aerial inspection of a large mature Ash tree in Sandwell Valley Country Park. A ground level inspection by another aborist had flagged up the presence of fungal fruiting bodies and associated bark cankers at a height of around 11 metres. The tree was subsequently climbed and the area of decay sounded with a mallet and drilled with a Resistograph micro-drill in order to assess the extend of internal decayed wood. The drill gives a reading of the resistance the wood provides against the 400mm long drill bit; where the resistance drops off some decay is likely to be present.
A written report was provided to the park managers with recommendations for future management of this tree.
If you have a tree you need inspected from a rope and harness, please contact Paul at paul@bartontrees.co.uk.