Freqently Asked Questions

How should we send the samples?

That depends on where you send the samples from. Usually Priority Mail is the best method because it ensures that the samples will reach UNH within 1-2 days. With a fresh blue ice in the cooler that should be enough time. If the weather is very hot, it will have an effect on length of time that the blue ice remains cold. If you sample on a friday, please refrigerate the samples through the weekend and mail them on the following Monday so that they do not remain in a mailroom for the whole weekend.

When calculating Total Damage Length of needles, does damage include just chlorotic mottle and tip necrosis?

No. Total damage includes all types of damage and should be measured to the nearest millimeter. This value and the percent total damage should relate to what the VIRIS sees. The VIRIS sees damage but does not tell us what type of damage. We use the measurements of the presence or absence of chlorotic mottle and tip necrosis to tell us whether or not the damage seen by the VIRIS is due to factors relating to ozone.

If we do not have a drying oven, can we still do the wet weight/dry weight of needles?

Yes, you may use other types of equipment such as a food dehydrator. Please let us know if you are using some method other than the drying oven method.

Our balance does not measure to the hundredth of a gram. Is that required to perform the wet weight/dry weight measurements?

Yes, in order to get accurate water content measurements, the scale should be able to measure to the hundredth (0.01) of a gram.