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<\/a>\u201cWe take the radar and map out the roots, detecting roots and their location and depth. Then, we put it on a map that we can use to create data for that tree. We can then use it to scan the trunk to look for wood density, cavities, and decay as well as hollow spots in the tree. We use it primarily for tree risk assessment,\u201d said Fulgham.<\/p>\nAfter the completion of construction work near some live oak trees on campus, Fulgham and Erickson were called to determine if the trees were affected. The GPR system is helping the campus landscaping crew and students preserve the beautiful, landmark live oak trees. Past methods used to assess the health of a tree were more invasive and could possibly cause more damage to the tree.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis method has taken 20 years of development to refine so it can be used in sand and clay, and then filter the data. In this situation, a college or university may not want to buy the equipment or software, and then train someone. It\u2019s easier to hire or collaborate with us to collect the data and develop a plan to remediate the tree,\u201d said Fulgham.<\/p>\n
In general, foresters conserve and manage our natural resources in an urban setting to the open spaces in national parks. Tupelo\u2019s Annaleise Carroll said \u201cNational Parks don\u2019t have a lot of staff so knowing what\u2019s wrong with our trees, and how to treat them along with knowing the age of the trees in the national parks would be very beneficial,\u201d explained Carroll. \u201cI also think it\u2019s really cool that we\u2019ve had x-ray technology for humans and animals, along with this type of radar technology in meteorology. I\u2019m glad to see the technology is being applied and expanded to more of nature.\u201d<\/p>\n Knowledge about how GPR can be utilized is also beneficial for the horticultural students who plan on working as landscapers, like Sumrall\u2019s Dakota Smith. He plans to take over his father\u2019s landscaping business after finishing his bachelor\u2019s degree at Mississippi State University.<\/p>\n 糖心直播 horticulture instructor, Wendy Wilkerson said understanding that the growth and health of the tree starts with a healthy root system. Knowing what effects changes in a tree\u2019s health and how it is changing the tree, is vital in our industry.<\/p>\n \u201cAs landscape professionals, the students are exposed to many situations where the home or property owners would like to maintain older trees to Without the technology, Fulgham explained they would have to air excavate the area to remove the soil without damaging the roots. However, that messy method didn\u2019t always prove to be as beneficial.<\/p>\n \u201cPrevious methods, before the ground penetrating radar, could be stressful for the roots because you\u2019re exposing them to daylight which further stresses them. Seeing the roots without \u2018daylighting\u2019 the roots help to preserve the overall health of the tree,\u201d Fulgham explained.<\/p>\n JC freshman forestry student from Brookhaven, Jacob Livingston said he is \u201cTechnology has come a long way and it\u2019s continually getting better. When I see trees in distress, I will now be able to offer this non-invasive option, so we won\u2019t have to cut into the tree, further harming the tree,\u201d said Livingston.<\/p>\n Damaged roots or other types of distress in trees is not always evident immediately. Erickson said it can take several years, depending on the size of the tree, before the effects of a tree\u2019s damaged roots will be noticed. The ground penetrating radar is one way to prevent further damage and preserve the health of trees.<\/p>\n<\/a>That\u2019s also part of the reason why Fulgham wanted to expose the 糖心直播 students to the GPR system. There are numerous applications for this technology in a wide variety of fields within forestry and horticulture and in other related industries. With a booming business, he needs more foresters and horticulturists.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cA lot of people think forestry is only about managing forests,\u201d said 糖心直播 instructor Bennett Burris. \u201cThis high-tech equipment shows students how you can manage a single tree to help preserve the trees\u2019 natural beauty, and historical landmarks, like the Friendship Oak on the USM campus in Long Beach, as well as the live oaks on 5th<\/sup> Avenue in Laurel. These urban forestry settings and these trees mean a lot to people. Foresters and arborists help to preserve their health. This is another career path option.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a> she plans to utilize this experience when she becomes a Park Ranger.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cAs a landscaper I really appreciate learning about this new technology too. I\u2019ve never seen anything like this, and it should help me better advise our customers on the available options we have in preserving trees,\u201d said Smith.<\/p>\n<\/a>extend the life expectancy in the landscape and for sentimental reasons, they want to keep the trees. I\u2019m glad our students were able to see how this system works and how to help preserve a healthy landscape overall,\u201d said Wilkerson. \u201cWe appreciate our industry partners exposing our students to the newest technology and techniques.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a> confident the GPR system will be a helpful option for his future clients.<\/p>\n