The assessment of canary trees in the Bogor Botanic Gardens using forest health monitoring and sonic tomography methods

Abstract

Canary trees (Canarium indicum L.) at the Bogor Botanic Garden are some of the old trees that need to be assessed in term of tree health due to its impact to public safety. The study aims to determine the healthy condition of canary trees using two methods: Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) from USDA and the sonic tomography method, and also to develop a correlation between the assessments by those two methods. The FHM focuses on visual assessment using one parameter through dividing the tree in some locations from roots to bole, while sonic tomography were carried out using technology based on sonic characteristic. Statistical analysis were conducted through developing regression models between two methods. The assessment were conducted in three locations (root, stump, and bole) of 35 samples of canary trees. The result showed that based on FHM method, the Tree Damage Level Index had an average value of 4.3 (±1.2), while the damage to the wood found from using the sonic tomography method had an average value of 19.1% (±25.5). There was a correlation between FHM and sonic tomography at a damage location 1 (r=0.5), location 2 (r=0.7) and location 3 (r=0.8). This study proved the acceptability of the FHM method as well as sonic tomography to assess the tree condition.