TYPES OF DRONES
Drones are typically categorized as fixed-wing or rotary-wing. Fixed-wing drones look and fly like an airplane. They have two fixed wings on either side and are considered more en- ergy-efficient than rotary-wing drones. They can cover large amounts of land and are great for surveying and agri- cultural uses. Rotary-wing drones, also known as ro- torcra, are manufactured with rotary wings or rotor blades. They have hover- ing capabilities and are considered eas- ier to maneuver through dense forests. The rotary-wing drone is oen the go-to for commercial tree care uses. “For small- to medium-sized tree care businesses working in residential neighborhoods and urban areas, the rotary-wing DJI Mini 4 Pro is a great choice,” says Henry. “There are many drone companies on the market, but DJI makes a really good product and is most widely used in the tree care in- dustry.” The DJI Mini 4 Pro is a lightweight, convenient option for new and sea- soned flyers. Because it weighs less than 249 grams, some FAA restrictions may not apply to its use. Due to its small size, this drone can fly up to 35 mph and comes equipped with a high definition, 4k image camera. Ad- ditional features include large-angle
Drones allow tree care professionals to observe the health of a tree from the safety of the ground.
tries. It wasn’t until the 2000s that access to flying camera drones became more accessible. Today, drones can per- form tasks such as tree inspections, pest and disease identification and management, collecting and monitor- ing real-time data, and surveying and mapping. “The first DJI Phantom drone was avail- able for purchase about 20 years ago,” says Keith Brown, founder and own- er of Austin Tree Experts . “Initially, drones were used to fly utility lines
and for basic management purposes. Now, the technology has advanced to include high-definition cameras for im- agery and video, as well as LiDAR (light detection and ranging) and vegetation indexing.” The agriculture drone market was es- timated at $347.9 million in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound an- nual growth rate of 22.8% from 2023 to 2030, according to industry research by Grand View Research.
DJI’S Mini 4 Pro weighs under 249 grams and has omnidirectional obstacle sensing to make it easier to avoid collisions.
30 | ArborTIMES Spring 2024
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