3D-laser scanning: a new method to analyze coarse tree root systems

Details about the spatiotemporal development of root systems and their influence on ring-width variations in tree stems are still unknown. Furthermore, their size, spread and architecture play an important role in studying tree stability and their stabilizing effect on slopes. A major problem in this regard is the detailed 3D-data acquisition and modeling of its complex structure. The appli cation of a laser scanner is a step towards the solution of this problem. Scanning the root system of a mature spruce tree facilitated creating a 3D scatter-plot of the root structure (resolution: 2 mm). The subsequent modeling of the structure allowed an automated replication of the coarse root structure down to a size of 0.5 cm of single roots. The resulting model of the root system facilitates cutting the roots for ring-width analysis while tagging the sample points in the model as a base for the further analysis of the root system’s development.