ForestHealth, an expert advisory system for assessing foliar and crown health of selected northern hardwoods

Abstract

Assessment of tree health requires accurate estimates of crown condition and identification of specific biotic and abiotic agents that may affect crowns, stems, or roots. ForestHealth, an expert advisory system written in C language for the Macintosh™ platform, provides a diagnostic module and two training modules. The diagnostic module provides guidance in identifying foliar symptoms and the common insects, diseases, and abiotic disorders found on leaves of: sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.), red maple (Acerrubrum L.), black cherry (Prunusserotina Ehrh.), northern red oak (Quercusrubra L.), and white oak (Quercusalba L.). Graphical user interfaces are central to both training modules. The Foliar Severity routine trains users to categorize injury (percent leaf area) on single leaves using a modified Horsfall–Barratt scale. The Crown Dieback routine displays different types and degrees of crown injury that users must identify and classify. Each crown is unique, generated in "real time" using tree–branch parameters selected by the user. Since the crowns are created on a three-dimensional basis, multiple views are possible. Written output from training sessions or periodic checks provide quantitative information for quality assurance and quality control. ForestHealth provides diagnostic assistance, training, quality assurance and quality control data, and standardization for research or survey projects involving forest health.