During the week of Aug. 12, Davey welcomed tree researchers and arborists to the Davey Institute on its corporate campus for Tree Biomechanics Research Week. The company's research facility is hosting several experiments to answer tree biomechanics questions and support the project abstracts of 15 experts and their teams from countries all over the world.

1. Ward Peterson, Davey’s manager of urban resources, welcomes Tree Biomechanics
Research Week attendees to the Davey Tree Research Farm in Shalersville, Ohio on
Aug. 15.

2. Researcher Lothar Göcke uses sonic tomography devices to identify trees with damage.
Göcke, a resident of Germany, demonstrated his experiment to several groups of
attendees on Aug. 15.

3. Attendees pinned their predictions—and
bets—for the point at which the tree above
would break.

4. Tree Biomechanics Research Week attendees walk to their next demonstration at the
Davey Tree Research Farm. The research facility features 40 acres of 14 tree species
that Davey visionaries planted in neat rows nearly 60 years ago.

5. Davey technical advisor Anand Persad (left) and West Virginia University researcher
Aaron Carpenter (center) explain the dangers or removing ash trees infected with
emerald ash borer.

6. Principal Researcher Greg Dahle explains
the use of high-speed dual cameras to
determine the buildup of strain during
branch failure tests on EAB-infested ash
trees.

7. Arborists and researchers work together to pull down a pin oak tree at the Davey Tree
Research Farm in Shalersville, Ohio. Tree Biomechanics Research Week attendees
watched as the trunk snapped and fell to the ground. The tree will be used for research.

8. Andreas Detter shows Tree Biomechanics Research Week attendees compression
failures on the excavated roots of a London plane tree.

9. Stuart Greenberger explains the importance of documenting the soil-root relationship
when toppling trees. Trees can be used for other experiments as long as the roots and
soil are not disturbed and enough trunk strength exists to topple the tree.

10. Australian Researcher Ken James balances on the trunk of a red maple that researchers
had studied during Tree Biomechanics Research Week in 2010. He demonstrated how
little force was required to shake the structure, versus a trunk with its branches in tact.

11. A DynaTim™ device performs a dynamic
load-behavior analysis on a tree.

12. Researchers perform an experiment via crane to determine the branch performance
under load to the point of failure. The study intends to determine the amount of energy
available, or strike force, at the point of impact due to structural failure of trees.