PGMS Knowledge Center - "Tree Inventories Enter the Electronic Age: Landscape Planning Goes Digital"

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Tree Inventories Enter the Electronic Age
Landscape Planning Goes Digital

By Sally A. Murdock
Bartlett Tree Experts

It’s a marriage made in heaven. An accurate collection of information combined with the ability to process that information. Tree inventories for the effective management of landscapes is not a new concept. Dr. E.P. Felt, the first director of the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories recognized the benefits of conducting a “tree census” in 1934. What’s new are the resources now available to the serious landscape manager.

Today’s instruments make developing and maintaining a “tree census” a virtual reality. Many new tools are available. Handheld electronic data collectors gather information about tree populations. Global positioning system technology identifies and maps tree locations. Computer programs instantly process and collate the gathered information. Nor is this information strictly limited to trees… today’s inventory programs develop a complete catalog of property assets. Maps are created to incorporate shrub beds, lawn areas and paved surfaces. Buildings and utilities are indicated to eliminate guesswork in planning and avoid potential planting errors.

Tree inventory software programs organize landscape data into a variety of useful reports and summaries. They allow managers to take a proactive approach to tree care rather than simply relying on “crisis management”. Reports can be comprehensive to include detailed information on all plantings or restricted to elements of the landscape like hazardous/large trees. Tree inventories are an extremely powerful and effective landscape management tool.

Obviously, those who maintain large properties – condos, estates, colleges, golf courses, cemeteries and corporate complexes would find this resource invaluable to assess their property needs. However, a tree inventory would provide many benefits to other people as well. Developers and homeowners could identify key plants, locations and tree preservation areas during the planning stages at a site. Many homeowners opt for a tree management program – not only to maintain information on plant history but also to establish important documentation for insurance purposes.

Landscape features are constantly changing. Plantings are installed or removed and maintenance is performed. Inventories should be constantly updated to keep an accurate record of property features.

Whether your property is large or small, an inventory is a worthwhile investment in the program to maintain the health and beauty of your landscape.

Global Positioning System

(GPS) is a constellation of several dozen military satellites that orbit the earth. Using a GPS receiver, it is possible for someone to pinpoint an exact location. GPS receivers use radio signals generated by the satellites to calculate the location on the surface of the earth. Recent advancements in technology make it possible to store locations and their characteristics. Maps and databases can be created with software for evaluation and management. Many industries are already using this new technology. In most cities, emergency agencies use GPS to monitor the location of ambulances and plot the fastest arrival to a destination.

The characteristics of trees, shrubs and planting beds are uploaded to a computer to create maps and databases. Then, the manager can develop a variety of inventory reports and a proactive management plan. When a particular tree or shrub requires treatment, a map or a GPS receiver would pinpoint the work area on the property.

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