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Morton Arboretum Scientists Team with NASA on Tree Research Dr. Gary Watson, head of research at the Morton Arboretum, has a grant from the TREE Fund to study "Utilizing Space Age Digital Strain Measurement Technology to Identify Zones of Mechanical Weakness in Trees." Scientists from the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, and colleagues from France, England and Germany teamed with NASA aeromechanical engineers the week of Sept. 10-14, 2012 at the arboretum's research plot to see if Space Shuttle exploration safety testing technology is a useful research tool when applied to the biomechanics of trees, i.e., what makes trees stand, and what makes them fall. Through a grant for tree-risk assessment testing, the arboretum scientists are studying whether 3D digital camera technology (ARAMIS stereophotogrammetry) can offer precise mathematical knowledge about the strength, stability and resilience of trees in wind and weather. If so, it can become a central component in its tree risk assessment toolkit to help arborists and scientists identify zones of weakness and potential failure in trees. Some of the first work of this technology, based on stereo image correlation, occurred in the 1950s with U. S. reconnaissance photos to measure changing conditions on the ground. With the advent of digital images, the technology has proved useful in the Space Shuttle Columbia accident investigation and Shuttle flights after the Columbia break up. The research procedure involved painting polka dots on trees in the arboretum's west side research plot, then rigging digital 3D cameras on rigid bars and using cables to bend, twist and knock down trees, while capturing the action on the 3D cameras. The camera technology can be compared to human eyes detecting movement and depth in three dimensions. Pairs of calibrated cameras look at the same area on a tree. Computer software correlates the image pairs and computes the minutest tree movements. The fast-firing digital images detect hot spots (tree damage). "On the simplest level it will help arborists determine whether a tree is safe and can be left standing," explains Gary Watson, PhD, Morton Arboretum senior research scientist. He believes the technology can give insight into a tree's resilience when wounded, and its ability to compensate, thus preventing unnecessary cutting down of trees. Information Request # 638 100 Landscape Architect and Specifier News