Design and Test of a Microdestructive Tree-Ring Measurement System

Area of Science:

• Dendrochronology
• Biophysical Measurement Systems
• Forestry Science

Background:

• Tree ring analysis is crucial for determining tree age and growth patterns.
• Traditional methods can be destructive or lack precision.
• Microdestructive techniques offer a less invasive approach to tree ring analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a microdestructive tree-ring measurement system.
• To accurately determine tree age and growth by analyzing wood density variations.
• To achieve precise tree ring measurements with minimal impact on living trees.

Main Methods:

• A microdestructive system utilizing a 3 mm microdrill, mechanical transmission, DC servomotor, and stepper motor.
• Measurement of drill resistance via DC servomotor armature current sampling.
• Application of a finite impulse response (FIR) filtering algorithm to process signals and identify tree rings.
• Testing on larch and fir tree discs to validate system performance.

Main Results:

• The system achieved an average annual ring measurement accuracy of 95.28% for larch discs.
• An average accuracy of 84.16% was recorded for fir discs.
• The microdrill diameter remained under 3 mm, ensuring minimal damage to living trees.

Conclusions:

• The developed microdestructive system effectively measures tree rings with high accuracy.
• The method provides a valuable tool for dendrochronology and forest research.
• This technique allows for precise tree age and growth determination with reduced tree damage.