Approved Documents · OPW11/0335

Matrix Projects (QLD)- Essence of Peregian, David Low Way Peregian Beach QLD 4573 Page 9

 

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Photo No 8- showing the point where the major branch failu
Tree No 6.

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Discussions

VTA- Visual Tree Assessment

All trees surveyed were assessed using Visual Tree Assessment (VTA). VTA
is a method of assessing trees devised by Dr Claus Mattheck (1994 & 1999).
This method is a continuation and addition to books on hazard evaluation by
Matheny & Clark (1994) and Harris (1999 & 2004) that are used to assess
both the health (biological) and structure (mechanical) of trees.

VTA takes into account biological factors such as vitality (leaves, bark, twig
growth etc), presence of fungi, old branches, wound occlusion or woundwood
development and/or compartmentalisation, and other biological factors that
contribute to tree growth. For example Tree No 5 is in poor health, obvious by
the lack of foliage cover, increased amount of deadwood and poor growth.

The second part of VTA deals with tree structure or the mechanical aspects of
trees such as breakages (defect symptoms such as bulges or ribs, wounds,
leaning that causes transverse cracks, bark cracks and other abnormal things)
and wind throw (root buttresses, soil cracks, sail area, bottle butt etc). For
example Tree No 6 has a previous failure of a major branch, where as Trees
No 7 to 9 are riddled with the decay fungus Phellinus, therefore reducing
structural integrity and useful life expectancy (part of the biological section of
VTA as well).

 

Leaf and Limb Horticultural ConsultancyO
Prepared by Samuel Cowie 11® of June 2009