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laser deflectometer for trees

Measurement technology for pulling tests and wind response measurements.

LOFOR® – the first laser-based deflectometer designed specifically for tree assessment.

how it works -->
LOFOR App -->
LOFOR – Hero Animation

Advantages

New: precise determination of the bending line.

The LOFOR laser deflectometer captures trunk bending under load as the integral response of all structurally relevant properties. The measured deformation reflects the sum of all contributing factors: wood type variations such as heartwood, reaction wood and sapwood, the actual cross-section, and existing defects such as cavities, decay and cracks.

Pulling tests and wind response measurements with minimal hardware effort

Stable readings at low force levels. In certain situations, manual force (300–400 N) is sufficient.

For force measurement during pulling tests, the LOFOR-compatible lineScale3 load cell is recommended

High resolution at lower force.

Measurement results with virtually unlimited accuracy. Through optical signal amplification, the smallest movements can be detected – ideal for trees with large diameters. 

Thanks to the low force requirements, ecological snags and trees with graft unions can also be tested.

Dynamic wind response

Individual wind gusts (from approximately 40 km/h) are already sufficient to measure the bending line and root plate inclination – under dynamic wind conditions.

Data export to Arbostat

Arbostat files can be read and written: laser angles are inserted as inclino values.

Distinguish and identify failure patterns early

LOFOR measurement reveals where and how the trunk bends or twists (torsion around the trunk axis). Root damage manifests as the tree rotating in the ground – with little trunk bending. 

Flexible, scalable precision

Sensitivity increases with the distance between lasers and projection surface. Clear line of sight is required; vegetation or infrastructure may obstruct the measurement. 

how it works

Simple setup – complex results

01

Capture geometry & mount lasers

Record the trunk geometry using the LOFOR app (LiDAR scan). Then mount the lasers along the trunk axis and align them so that the beams strike the projection surface. 

Screenshot of the LOFOR App, LiDAR Scan

02

Perform measurement

Pull the tree or wait for wind gusts. The phone records the laser dot movement.

LOFOR lasers installed on a tree

03

View results

The LOFOR software resolves bending, torsion and root plate rotation. Simple diagrams in the app and data export to Arbostat for further calculations.

Screenshot from the LOFOR App, showing angels of tree bending
Screenshot from the LOFOR App, showing the analysis (bending of the tree)
Screenshot

Interactive Demo

Baum­auslenkung unter Windlast

Move the slider to play measurement frames. Each point represents a laser at a different trunk height.

4 – 10+

lasers 

< 0.001°

Resolution (depending on tree-to-camera distance)

24-240

Frames/sec – depending on video settings

2 axes

For wind measurements: second laser direction with mirror redirection 

Deflection Curve
Simulated wind response — drag slider or press play
Frame 001

In the field

Simple setup - high accuracy

LOFOR System being used outside
LOFOR Laser installed on a tree on the roadside. LOFOR laser installed on a tree 3D LiDAR model of a tree made with LOFOR App. very good accuracy and easy to do LOFOR being used outside, with the lasers active

THE APP

All analyses. In your pocket. 

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Trunk section angle — Bending per trunk section

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Deflection curve — complete dynamic load visualization. Comparison with theoretical deflection curve using 3D trunk geometry

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Real-time frame scrubbing: Playback in real time or frame by frame.
 

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Arbostat-kompatibler Export