Thread: estimating tree life?

Does anyone have some pointers towards reading material on the subject of estimating the remaining life of trees, specifically urban/city trees? I'm doing ok with guessing ages for most species in my area, and my guesses for remaining life often come pretty close to those which are estimated by consulting arborists writing reports, but my guesses are entirely based on experience with no formal backing.

I'm getting more requests for tree reports with applications to local councils thesedays, and I've got a pretty good handle on defects, diseases and borers but they're asking more often for me to provide details of the formal assesment methods I use for estimating tree life, and I dont think "I have a look, and I see" really counts as a formal method of assesment.

If there are any online resources, or books worth buying on the subject I'd much appreciate the info.

Shaun

Not sure if this has real life applications but it's interesting. http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/people/...rch%2030-2.pdf

ASCA: Educational Programs

I havent read this but it seemed on topic to your question also ggoled some pdf files of actual reports from regestered consulting arborists to see how they word stuff too,

http://www.altadenalibrary.org/sites...rt_%282%29.pdf