Resistograph Owners

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GregManning

Super Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chardon, OH
Hipothetical:
42" Diam. Red Oak w/ obvious Armillaria. (black fungus visable, large damaged/infected area on trunk [15% of daim.], many root flare cavities, etc)
How many bores & how much $ for just the service ?
No report, just the verdict.
Thanks, Greg
 
If the tree already has Armillaria, why drill it? Isn't that enough to recommend removal? On a tree that size, I would drill 3 areas. One, opposite of the damaged area and 2 on each side of the damaged areas.

If I was to do the removal, no charge to the client. If not, $75
 
Hi Greg,
Here are the first things that popped into my head:
I wouldn't pull out the pull out the Resistograph and drill the tree, analyze the data, inspect the tree and analyze that against everything there is to know about the tree species, wood characteristics, fungi and its characteristics, wood strength, wood loss and how that affects the overall health and structural integrity of the tree and just give a verdict. I would provide a report that gives you (or the client) the information they need to make their own decision. I would certainly include my opinion and management options in the report. This would be a completely unbiased opinion as I would have nothing to gain from the decision to remove and replace or prune and retain. I would charge $300 and potentially assume some liability if my opinion is wrong and some tragic event ensues.
Hypothetically

Zale,
I think your charging way to little for having and using a highly specialized piece of equipment that costs well over $5,000 and few have access to. I agree with the positioning for drilling.
 
If I was to provide a report to the client, I agree $75 is too little. Just to drill the tree would take about 10-15 minutes. I do adjust my rates depending on travel time, number of trees to be drilled on a property, and detail of report the client wants.
 
I agree that the other data noted is important.

However, let's say this 42" Diam X 100' oak is the only significant tree on a residential lot.

Just telling the client that the tree has Armillaria does not describle the current condition. Yes the tree may be doomed, but maybe they only want to live in the house for another 5 - 10 years.

The resistograph will provide a visual graph that shows the client the wood condition now.

$75 - $300 is small compared to the removal cost.
 
Hi Greg
Just a couple of quick points to think about,

1. You should give some kind of report.
2. The question is about stability, right? So if the tree is stable with Armillaria present, that's OK right?
3. You can do a calculation prior to drilling to determine amount of material you want to find and only drill that far. This way you will avoid breaking through wall 4. There is a lot of debate about residual wall requirements for basic strength, so you should factor in as much as possible before reaching a conclusion, things like height and crown form.
4. Pricing? What is the service worth? What is your time worth? Don't under value the worth of a good consultation - which should include a report. Even if the report is a field form. Usually the greatest contributor to cost for our consulting practice is in the reporting.
 
I agree w/ the report need. Field form is a good option.

Yes, stability is THE concern !

Your point of the crown form is extremely valid in this hopotetical tree. It was very negative.
The crown had stopped growing on the damaged trunk side; the vegatation was all on the opposite side (toward the house).
Thanks,
Ciao for Now ! Greg

Bores ? Charge $ ?
 
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