Comparison of variability in results of acoustic tomographs in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.)

Abstract

Tree acoustic tomography is a widely used device supported method for tree stability assessment. In this work, the results of the three most commonly used devices for acoustic tomography of standing trees (ARBOTOM®, ArborSonic®, and PiCUS®) were compared on selected individuals of sessile oak in Brno, Czech Republic. According to the statistical analysis, there was a significant difference between values measured by the PiCUS® acoustic tomograph and those measured by both the ARBOTOM and ArborSonic® acoustic tomographs. Based on the measured data, velocities measured by PiCUS® were considerably lower than those recorded by the other acoustic tomographs (ARBOTOM® and ARBORSONIC®). Measured radial and tangential velocities differed from each other. In data obtained from the defective cross-sections, this difference was attenuated. Image reconstructions (tomograms) from the acoustic tomographs differed from each other. Complex shapes of defects in standing trees can significantly influence acoustic tomography results. According to the statistical analysis, there was no significant relationship between sound velocity and density, while there was a relatively strong positive correlation between sound velocity and moisture content.