The Use of GPR and Microwave Tomography for the Assessment of the Internal Structure of Hollow Trees

Internal decays in trees can rapidly escalate into a full decomposition of the inner structural layer, i.e., “heartwood” due to action aggressive diseases and fungal infections. This process leads formation big cavities hollows, which remain surrounded by sapwood layer only. Estimating thickness with high degree accuracy is therefore crucial for correct assessment integrity hollow trees, as well an extremely challenging task. In this context, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) has proven effective providing details internal structure trees. Nevertheless, existing GPR processing methods still offer limited information on their configuration. study investigates effectiveness enhanced microwave tomography inversion approach To aim, living tree was investigated performing set pseudocircular scans along bark perimeter hand-held common-offset system. The then felled, sections were cut testing purposes. A dedicated data framework developed tested through numerical simulations sections. real trunk reconstructed via tomographic imaging outcomes quantitatively analyzed way comparison sections’ main geometric features. very accurate locating sapwood–cavity interface evaluation thickness, centimeter prediction accuracy.