Project update: Selection of trees for the irrigation experiment

Over the past few months, we have been working with the Karlsruhe Horticultural Office to select suitable trees for our irrigation experiment. The trees had to have a certain diameter and show no visible signs of disease or damage. To achieve this, we examined over 100 trees, which included using an Arbotom impulse tomograph to help us recognise irregularities inside the trunk that could indicate possible wood decay.

We have now selected around 50 healthy trees, which will be fitted with irrigation rings, sap flow sensors and tape dendrometers in the coming weeks. These devices will enable us to better understand the trees' water requirements. Together with the Horticultural Office, we will start the watering experiment in April.