Turning the world of trees upside down….I’m not sure this would appeal to a tree’s tropisms (growth in response to external stimuli), but its all in the name of art

Six inverted sugar maples hang 30 feet off the ground at Mass MoCA in North Adams, Mass. Tree Logic is an artwork by Natalie Jeremijenko tracking the changes in these trees over time. Photo courtesy of Gwen Steege

…check out the full story at csmonitor.com

Under Victorian legislation, the Control of Weapons Regulations 2000 (17 December 2000), any ‘daylight’ lasers stronger than 1mW became a ‘Prohibited Weapon.   The Schedule 2 to these regulations defines what is a prohibited weapon and states “Regulation 6 – 33.    A hand-held battery-operated article commonly known as a “laser pointer” designed or adapted to emit a laser beam with an accessible emission limit of greater than 1 mW.”
The Control of Weapons Act 1990 (1 January 2010) Section 5 – Prohibited weapons states that
“(1) A person must not—
(a) bring into Victoria; or  (b) cause to be brought into or sent into Victoria; or(c) manufacture, sell or purchase; or (d) display or advertise for sale; or (e) possess, use or carry—a prohibited weapon without an exemption under section 8B or an approval under section 8C.”  The penalty for this offense is 240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
That’s the bad news!!  The good news is that you can apply for a permit to continue your ‘lawful’ use of these Lasers by applying for a permit the same as you would for a firearm.  You can apply for a permit to use a ‘daylight’ laser from Victoria Police and the forms are available online from the Victoria Police web site.
This will cost you approximately $150 if you do not already hold a Firearms License.   If you have any issue with accessing or the content of these applications, please email licensingservices@police.vic.gov.au.
The act is available at the Victorian Law Library and search on ‘Control of Weapons Regulations 2000’.
If you have one of these Daylight green or red lasers and you don’t have a permit, you can:

• Continue to use it without a permit and face a hefty fine or 2 years in jail;
• Not use it anymore (but don’t sell it or give it away)
• Apply for a permit through Victoria Police.

Click to download factsheet-Daylight Lasers

What Benefits does Smart-Shot™ bring to the industry?

Smart Shot is easy to use and with the draw-off loader there is no need to come into contact with any chemical. It has low pressure (<3.5psi) as opposed to other injection systems that can cause wood tissue wounding at the injection site. It also has a very small injection hole and no rubber or plastic plugs need to be inserted or left in the tree. “The main benefits of smart shot is that it is low cost, immediately refillable and reusable, safe, efficient and easy to use” says Glenn.

How Significant is Smart-Shot™ Refillable Tree Injector?

There has already been considerable interest in the product. As Glenn says “if the number of enquiries and emails are any indication we may see the Smart Shot Refillable Tree Injector being the industry standard for this type of work in the future”.

Smart-Shot™ is a trademark of Tree Logic Pty Ltd

Order online now at Tree Logic

This experience has been invaluable in showing our research team the advantages and disadvantages of individual systems. To this end, Tree Logic has spent the last few years working on a prototype injector that fulfils all requirements while being a high enough quality to stand the rigours of constant commercial use. The result of this testing and research is new Smart-Shot™ Refillable Tree Injector.

Available now in the Tree Logic online store




The Tree Logic Smart-Shot™ Injector System will consist of a purpose-designed injector unit with pre-measured dosage amounts to allow for easy calculation of individual tree dosage, two different length injector probes and a customised draw-off to ensure no-mess filling of the injector. This draw-off has been customised to fit the cap size of the newly registered Bayer SilvaShield® Tree Injectable container.

The Tree Logic Smart-Shot™ Injector System sets a new standard for environmentally safe chemical use for tree injection and we believe that it will be the benchmark standard for tree injection for years to come.
Initially available in a 3ml–6ml injector with a 5ml-10ml injector to be released soon. There will be two injector probe lengths and a range of replacement springs and O-rings.

Benefits:

• Low cost
• Refillable for use again and again
• Safe filling with a purpose designed ‘draw-off’
• Can be used with a range of chemicals
• Robust commercial quality
• Simple & easy to use

FAQ’s

Q.    How does the the Smart-Shot™ Refillable Tree Injector work?
The Smart-Shot™ Refillable Tree Injector allows a precise dosage to be filled in the injector and then delivered under very low pressure into the tree’s vascular system. This is done by drilling a hole through the tree’s outer bark then inserting the charged injector into the correct area and releasing the dose. Refilling is done through the Draw-Off Injector loader, which ensures safe and accurate reloading of the injector.

Q.    What is the difference between the Smart-Shot™ Refillable Tree Injector and other tree injection systems?

• Low cost.
• Low pressure (<3.5psi) as opposed to other injection systems that can cause wood tissue wounding at the injection site (eg: Sidewinder, Arborjet ‘Viper’, etc.).
• No rubber or plastic plugs need to be inserted or left in the tree.
• Very small injection hole (4mm).
• Immediately refillable and reusable.
• Spill-proof draw-off for safe, efficient loading in of the injectors.
• Easy for non-arborists to use.

Q.    Why are there two different length nozzles available?
The thickness of outer bark can vary between different tree species and even between different age trees of the same species. The two nozzle lengths will allow almost every species and age tree to be injected with the Smart-Shot™ Refillable Tree Injector.

Q.    Why are there two different sizes available?
The 3-5ml Smart-Shot™ Refillable Tree Injector was designed for use with Bayer’s Silva-Shield Tree Injectable product and the label dosage rate specifies dosages in the range of 3-5ml. The Smart-Shot™ Refillable Tree Injector is perfect for use with this product. The 6-10ml Smart-Shot™ Refillable Tree Injector was designed for other chemicals which may have slightly larger dosage volumes.

Q.    How many Smart-Shot™ Refillable Tree Injectors do I need to inject one tree?
You can complete the correct dosage injection for one tree (or many trees) using only one injector, however it will be quicker and more economic to use several injectors at the one time to perform the treatment. We recommend at least four (4) injectors on trees with trunk diameters up to 500mm and six (6) on trees with trunk diameters over 500mm. When using multiple injectors, the injectors are inserted one after the other and by the time the last injector is inserted it will be time to check the first injector to determine if the tree has taken up the dosage. Multiple injection sites should be spaced evenly around the tree to provide uniform uptake.

Q.    What other tools do I need to undertake tree injection treatments?
You will need either a hand or cordless drill, several sharp high-helix 7/32” drill bits, a container to store and transport the injectors and a diameter measuring tape to calculate dosage. Personal protective equipment such as chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection and long-sleeved shirts is recommended. Please refer to the particular chemical manufacturer’s instructions for other requirements.

Q.    How do I load the Smart-Shot™ Refillable Tree Injector?
Tree Logic strongly recommends the use of the purpose-designed Draw-Off Injector Loader for use with the Smart-Shot™ Refillable Tree Injector.
To load the injector with the Smart-Shot draw-off simply place the injector nozzle into the top of the Draw-off and seat firmly. Pump the plunger several times to expel any trapped air and to load the injector with the chemical. Ensure that the injector is locked into the correct dosage notch prior to removal from the draw-off injector loader. The Smart-Shot™ Refillable Tree Injectors can be used without the Draw-Off Injector Loader by placing the nozzle of the Injector into the chemical container and below the level of the liquid and drawing the chemical into injector by pulling the plunger to the required dosage and then locking the plunger into the required dosage notch.

Q.    How do I clean the Smart-Shot™ Refillable Tree Injector?
Tree Logic recommends that the Injectors be cleaned regularly by rinsing and washing the injector with clean water. Apply a smear of silicon grease/spray to the plunger seal after cleaning for best results.

Q.    How long does it take to treat a tree using the Smart-Shot™ Refillable Tree Injector?
The injection process can take between 5 – 30 minutes depending upon a range of variables, including tree species, tree age, tree health and climatic conditions (temperature, wind, etc.). Avoid injecting on cold, rainy or overcast days and early mornings as this will significantly slow the injection uptake process.

Q.    Can I leave the Smart-Shot™ Refillable Tree Injector in the tree overnight or while I do something else?
CAUTION; Do not leave the injector/s or tree unattended during treatment. Pesticide applications must always be monitored and attended.

Q.    How difficult is it to use the Smart-Shot™ Refillable Tree Injector?
The injectors themselves are simple and easy to use. It is the actual drilling the tree that requires some basic understanding of tree physiology to ensure correct placement and fitting. The injection hole should be drilled on a slight downward angle with a sharp high-helix drill bit (7/32”) using very light pressure through the outer and inner bark to the sapwood (moist vascular tissue). Do not drill too deep; this will slow the injection uptake process. Injection sites should be low down on the trunk and the root buttress and not above the first limb.

Q.   Where are they available from?
Smart-Shot™ Refillable Tree Injectors are only available from Tree Logic Pty. Ltd.  through our ONLINE SHOP or directly from the Tree Logic shop in Ringwood, Victoria.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SMART-SHOT™ INSTRUCTIONS

VicUrban appointed a team of consultants lead by a joint venture between Black Kosloff Knott and Taylor Cullity Lethlean (BKK/TCL) to develop concept designs for Harbour Esplanade.
Tree Logic is working as a sub-consultant to BKK/TCL providing arboricultural information to the areas of tree selection, tree planting systems complimentary to Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD), tree stock assessment and procurement, and tree maintenance scheduling.
The project area comprises 700 metres of public space between Docklands Drive to the north and Bourke Street (adjacent to Docklands Park) to the south.

Name: Centurion
Height: 100 –101 metres.  Because the sight to the very top of the tree was partially obscured by the tree’s healthy crown, it may be taller. According to Forestry Tasmania staff the head of Centurion had previously broken off and it was likely the tree was once higher.
Trunk Diameter: 405 cm

Name: Triarius
Height: 86.5 metres, Clear sight to the very top of the tree.
Trunk Diameter: 390 cm

Centurion becomes the tallest known tree existing in Australia, the tallest Eucalyptus tree in the world, the tallest hardwood tree in the world, and the tallest flowering plant in the world.  The previous tallest known existing hardwood tree was “Icarus Dream”, a Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans), measured at 97 metres in the Styx Valley (west of New Norfolk) in 2005.

Centurion and Triarius have survived the major bushfire events of 1934 and 1966/67, which burnt to the west and immediately east of the trees respectively.  The trees are now afforded protection through Forestry Tasmania’s Giant Trees Policy.  This policy provides for the protection and management of all Giant Trees on Tasmania’s State forests. To qualify as a Giant Tree, trees must be at least 85 metres tall or 280 cubic metres in volume.

Despite the Giant Tree policy, “El Grande” a Giant Mountain Ash discovered in 2002 was killed by Forestry Tasmania during burning in 2003 that was part of a woodland clearance exercise.  El Grande – which stood at 79 metres (260 feet) – was thought to be the largest tree in Australia in terms of volume and grew in the Florentine Valley about 100km northwest of Hobart.  El Grande collapsed last year.  Lets hope Centurion fairs better than El Grande and other Giant Trees threatened by forestry activity.

Information on Tasmania’s Giant Trees can be found at the Giant Tree Consultative committee website www.gianttrees.com.au. The committee was established by Forestry Tasmania to provide independent advice on the protection, management and promotion of Giant Trees.

Information about Victoria’s tallest trees can be found at The Department of Primary industries website www.nre.vic.gov.au/virtualexhibition/trees.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

World Experts to head National Seminar on Sustainable Systems for Urban Trees

Two international experts on sustainable systems for urban landscapes will speak at a day long national seminar in April this year. Dr Jason Grabosky on his second visit to Australia from the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources Rutgers State University of New Jersey joins Kim Sorvig Research professor, School of Architecture and Planning, University of New Mexico who is speaking in Australia for the first time, are keynote presenters at the Sustainable Systems For Urban Trees seminar to be held in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

The two speakers are guests of Tree Logic a Melbourne based firm of Arboricultural Consultants who regularly hold seminars for landscape construction trades, municipal and commercial arborists, landscape architects, town planners/ urban designers, horticulturists and civil engineers in the areas of Urban Forestry.

The topic of the April seminar is timely with professionals facing increasing environmental challenges combined with rapid development and calls for sustainability.

“The information from the seminar will help foster more informed approaches to introducing the principles of sustainability into our landscapes” said Stephen Frank, seminar organizer and Director of Tree Logic. “Now more than ever we need to address the ethical, environmental, and technical issues of creating sustainable urban landscapes” he said. “We are thrilled to have pioneers from the field like Grabosky and Sorvig to help us achieve this”.

Joining Dr Grabosky and Mr Sorvig on their only Australian speaking engagement, is Australian expert Dr Peter Breen from EDAW (Aust) who will share his extensive experience in water sensitive urban design. Other local guest speakers will share case studies on sustainable systems that have allowed trees in urban environments to flourish.

Seminar attendees will hear first hand about latest research undertaken by Dr Grabosky on root pavement conflicts and an update on the development and application of a load-bearing soil mix to use under pavements. Kim Sorvig who has recently co-authored “Sustainable Landscape Construction: A Guide to Green Building Outdoors” is presenting on permeable/porous pavements, application, types and construction methods.

Registrations for the event can be made on Ph: 1300 656 926
Contact: Stephen Frank Tree Logic M: 0417 117 760

cforms contact form by delicious:days

about hiring an Arborists and Arborists trying to sell their benefits!?

Download the printable document

Click here to download the pdf