Laser technology locates giant trees

Innovative laser technology has provided Forestry Tasmania staff with a new tool in the search for giant trees in remote forests.

Resource Information Manager David Mannes said that two new additions to the Giant Trees Register were located during an airborne LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) survey of the Southern Forests.

“This technology uses a laser beam to build a profile of the forest canopy. It is so sensitive that it has allowed us to accurately pinpoint the locations and heights of two giant Eucalyptus regnans trees.”

Following the LIDAR survey, Forestry Tasmania staff measured the trees from the ground to verify their heights.

“One tree was confirmed at 79 metres in height, with a diameter of 529 centimetres, making it a giant in volume. The other tree was confirmed to be 90 metres tall.

“The two trees are fully protected from harvesting. One tree is located within a wildlife corridor, and the other has been placed within a new protection zone.” Although the application of LIDAR to forestry is in its early stages, the results of this survey look promising.

“At present, giant trees are located by staff undertaking extensive, ground-based searches of entire coupes. These searches can be quite arduous, especially as they are usually carried out in forests with dense understoreys.

“In contrast, LIDAR allows us to send staff to particular coordinates to verify the heights of trees located in the aerial survey. “

It is possible that more giant trees could be located using LIDAR, as it becomes more cost-effective and widely used.”