Tree Core Sampler: Who's got/used one?

[NickfromWI]

I've been itching to buy a new toy lately and I like the look of this one:

Anyone ever use one of these? What are the variables I should consider?

love
nick

 

[SteveBullman]

They are hard work, and unless the tree is severely decayed probably wont go in far enough to detect decay....and if the trees that far gone its likely a visual assessment would tell you so anyway. They are also basically useless without the addition of a fractometer to test the core sample, which is even more bucks. Just my opinion

 

[FJR]

I have used one many times, although not that fancy. We used it to measure growth rates and to determine age. What kind of variables are you talking about? It is pretty straight forward to use, just take your time.

 

[Burnham]

I've cored maybe a million and a half trees, give or take 7. It's not hard work, to my mind, but it takes a touch and they are a fragile tool in many ways, and not particularly cheap.

They have a weakness so far as sampling for rot or hollows...once into punky wood or a hollow, they can be difficult to retract.

 

[NickfromWI]

So you hand screw it in then just pull it back out?

 

[Paul B]

I have a Suunto that I have used a few times. Screws in, extract core then screw back out. Burnham is right though, like a Formula 1 race car they are very strong in certain directions and very weak when force is applied in other directions. I got mine on the eBay for around $60 used in very good condition. I have never used it as a decision maker or deal breaker though, I would imagine much more experience is necessary before I would rely on my findings and data dissemination.

 

[FJR]

Screw it back out, carefully.

Burnham, at any point were you curious if they made a motorized core sampler?! Man, that is a lot of coring.

 

[squisher]

I've got a suunto and I've used it a number of times. Recently to check for decay in four standing spruce trees that looked otherwise perfectly healthy just like the fifth one that had blown onto the clients house that was loaded with rot but had no outward indications of it, perfectly healthy looking. The other four were solid.

 

[Paul B]

I thought I was your on call guy for that Squish, WTH?

 

[Burnham]

Screw it back out, carefully.

Burnham, at any point were you curious if they made a motorized core sampler?! Man, that is a lot of coring.

I think someone marketed such a device, battery powered. As you can imagine, short battery life was a big issue, though today's technology would better that some, I guess. The other problem I anticipated with it is loss of feedback that you get through hand power...knowing when to slow down and ease things along, or when to go hard at it.

I spent a good amount of time doing stand exam plots as a forestry tech....bore 3 to 5 trees per plot, do 10 or 12 plots a day, 5 days a week, for a couple of months a year, for 15 years...adds up . I got pretty good at it.

 

[squisher]

I thought I was your on call guy for that Squish, WTH?

Lol, the travel time was killing me though.