Trimming and Moving Tree Branches for Line of Sight

Image of surveyors clearing for line of site.

Many people often are amazed about surveying technology, and many are misunderstood when it comes to methods of surveying practice in relation to taking observations and measurements for boundary and topographic surveys. The surveyor has become a mysterious figure often related to a magician who can make things appear out of thin air. However, it is not that easy.  The modern technology of today used in almost every conventional terrestrial survey is a Total Station.

Trimble S7 - Robotic Total Station

The Total Station sends an infrared laser to a prism. The total station then measures the distance using an Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) by measuring the “Time of Flight”. The Total Station records the exact time it takes for each pulse to travel to the target and bounce back to the sensor. Using the known speed of light, the distance is calculated. If you have ever used a laser pointer, you know that the laser doesn’t go through hard surfaces such as a thick leaf or a branch (try it!) Therefore, for the total station to obtain a reading, it needs a clear line of sight from obstructions. It may seem that a surveyor has been reckless when a property owner finds branches and leaves that are cut down, but what they are trying to do is to simply take a measurement with the total station to map the property or to set a control point for the total station to move to the next location. The surveyor can be burdened with many tasks and at times can forget about the aesthetic beauty of the property and will at times leave the branches or leaves within view causing many property owners to become upset or uneasy when they see the branches. Please know that it is not the surveyor’s intention to cause harm or to damage property in this case. The surveyor will do what they can to respect the property and not damage anything, but at times, they will need to do what they can to get the project done for the client.

Sincerely,

Aiden J. Sanchez

PLS 9963