DETECTING DETERIORATION IN ROYAL PALM (<em>ROYSTONEA</em> <em>REGIA</em>) USING ULTRASONIC TOMOGRAPHIC AND RESISTANCE MICRODRILLING TECHNIQUES

Abstract

Lin cJ, cHAng tt, JUAn MY & Lin tt. 2011. Detecting deterioration in royal palm (Roystonea regia) using
ultrasonic tomographic and resistance microdrilling techniques. The objective of this study was to evaluate
deterioration and defects in royal palm (Roystonea regia) using a combination of ultrasonic tomographic
and resistance microdrilling techniques. High correlation (r² = 0.99) existed between the amount of decay
detected by ultrasonic tomography and the amount actually present in cross-sections of discs and living
palms according to the drill-resistance profile. However, ultrasonic tomograms underestimated the internal
deterioration of royal palms. When defects occurred in the periphery of the trunk, ultrasonic tomography
overestimated the area of deterioration. Therefore, detection of the location and determination of area of
deterioration need to be improved. A combination of ultrasonic tomography and resistance microdrilling
could accurately detect the general location and area of deterioration.