The Greening Department Acquires a Resistograph

On January 16, 2026, the City Greening Department posted a video showing their staff receiving instruction on the use of a resistograph. Ten days later, they released another video demonstrating a field test of the device.

The device appears to be a Rinntech R650-EA. It operates as a precision drill with a long, thin needle that penetrates the tree to measure wood density, displaying the results on a graph. Because decayed wood is softer than healthy wood, the operator can readily assess the extent of internal rot. The device has a drilling depth of up to 50 cm and retails for approximately $6,900 USD.

This is a significant positive step for the city. We hope this moves us closer to making instrumental analysis mandatory, ensuring that trees are no longer felled based solely on visual inspection.