For more than 30 years, Arbor Age magazine has been covering new and innovative products, services, technology and research vital to tree care companies, municipal arborists and utility right-of-way maintenance companies
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/75905
APPS FOR ARBORISTS APPS FOR ARBORISTS By Br andon Gallagher Watson Some mobile apps are useful in the office, some are useful in the truck getting to the site, and some are useful at the site. In this issue we are looking at the apps useful once we get to the site, with a special nod toward the technical arborist who may be climbing, accessing and working with the tree.These are all good examples of the different types of practical uses smartphones and tablets have in the field.They can be a reference for learning more,a tool for getting a task done,or a resource for solving an immediate problem,such as finding a nearby bathroom that you can use. Knots 3D Available on: iPhone, iPad,Android Cost:FREE (33 knots) or $1.99 (70- plus knots) Climbers will enjoy this app for practical reasons, and non-climbers will just like playing with it to see how many different knots they have no idea how to tie.The free version includes 33 different knots and a $1.99 version has 70-plus to learn.Not all are climb- ing related, but even the free version has 9 of the most common knots used by technical arborists.What is great about this app is the 3D animation of each knot that can be slowed down, rotated, or reversed so you can really understand how the knot works. It also includes handy info on where these different binds can be used.Perfect for training,learning something new, or brushing up on one you haven't used in a while. 26 Arbor Age / July/August 2012 FPG Clinometer Available on: iPhone Cost:FREE How tall is that tree? I don't know, but my phone can tell us! By utilizing the accelerometer in your phone (the device that allows your phone to know up/down, left/right, and rotate the screen) this handy little free app can easily get you pretty close the actual height. Simply enter your distance from the tree with your arm extended.The app uses the camera in your phone so just snap a shot at the base of the tree, then the top of the tree, and it uses basic trigonometry to calculate the tree's height.There are pay versions of clinometers that will also tell you how far you are from the tree so you do not need to manually enter the distance,but, for free,this one works pretty dang well. AroundMe Available on: iPhone, iPad,Android Cost:FREE Although this app is not specific to the arborist world,it can be extremely useful for anyone who has to work at a jobsite. It happens all the time where you are at a client's property and need to run to the hardware store for something. Only problem is, you have no idea where the closest one is.Fear not! This app can tell you! Where should you eat lunch? Where's there an ATM? Where's a gas station? What price is their gas? Wait,do they have diesel? All these questions are answered for you by this handy app — and it's free.What an age we're living in. Brandon Gallagher Watson is director of commu- nications at Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements, and is an ISA Certified Arborist (#MN-4086A). www.arborage.com