A transportable magnetic resonance imaging system for in situ measurements of living trees: The Tree Hugger

This paper presents the design of the 'Tree Hugger', an open access, transportable, 1.1 MHz H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance imaging system for the in situ analysis of living trees in the forest. A unique construction employing NdFeB blocks embedded in a reinforced carbon fibre frame is used to achieve access up to 210 mm and to allow the magnet to be transported. The magnet weighs 55 kg. The feasibility of imaging living trees in situ using the 'Tree Hugger' is demonstrated. Correlations are drawn between NMR/MRI measurements and other indicators such as relative humidity, soil moisture and net solar radiation. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.