[CANUFNET] High precision (+/- 10cm) tree location

Thu Nov 8 09:21:28 EST 2018

Hi all,

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned yet that there are in fact more modern GNSS receivers that can get sub-metre accuracy in urban forestry contexts. This was demonstrated very well by Montreal who use the Eos Positioning Systems Arrow 100 in their emerald ash borer management program. More info here: https://eos-gnss.com/montreal-arrow-100/. Apparently, in highly built-up urban environments they still managed 1-2 m accuracy, and in heavily forested areas, 1-1.5 m accuracy. In our urban forest research program at Dalhousie University's School for Resource and Environmental Studies we use the exact same device, the Arrow 100, to collect the locations of newly planted trees, and find that we get similar precision capability out of our devices, without any kind of differential GPS subscription. We also used several of the devices to conduct a rapid inventory of trees in the Town of Bridgewater in Nova Scotia (Eos wrote a case study about the project found here<https://eos-gnss.com/dalhousie-university-urban-forestry/>) where we collected location and other attribute information for 2200 trees in a single weekend with 3-4 teams of students, without any location precision issues.

We continue to use these devices for our ongoing inventory of newly planted trees and other student research and have not had any issues with getting accuracy similar to what the Montreal folks reported.

If anyone wants more information on how we're using them, feel free to reach me directly.

Cheers,

David

--
David E. Foster, BSc, MREM
PhD Student
Dalhousie University
Halifax, NS
e: david.foster at dal.ca<mailto:david.foster at dal.ca>
t: 902-880-8712

From: CANUFNET <canufnet-bounces at list.web.net> On Behalf Of Art Maat via CANUFNET
Sent: Wednesday, November 7, 2018 2:35 PM
To: Glenn Chernick <GCHERNIC at regina.ca>; Canadian Urban Forest Network <canufnet at list.web.net>
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] High precision (+/- 10cm) tree location

Hello all. The HisTREE / Nektar web and mobile solution accomplished everything you need. As mentioned in this string the relevance of accuracy is related only the true intent of interaction with the tree. Which for all intents and purposes is tree life cycle management. Since tree DBH is plus 300 mm, sub meter in general is fine.  The Nektar mobile app allows for all / unlimited tree attribute capture required. The true GPS location of tree at capture can be plotted on screen by moving the map under the pin. The pin is stationary and the map moves. Zoom in, move map until pin is visually located on existing tree in image or at least on the landmark that you can see in sat view if the tree is newly planted.

Nektar has also embraced what3words for location referencing. Check it out as if quite cool to work with. Basically every tree in Nektar database has a w3w address that can be easily documented for future referencing and communication.

See screen shot below for Nektar tree management used by New York City parks.

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Regards,
Art Maat
780-937-4056

On Nov 7, 2018, at 10:13 AM, Glenn Chernick via CANUFNET <canufnet at list.web.net<mailto:canufnet at list.web.net>> wrote:
We use a GIS based inventory system that our IT people came up with.  It basically inputs the tree where you are, although it is not completely accurate, it works if you lay out the trees where they are in relation to each other and other landmarks.  Attached is what it looks like when you view the map.  When we click on each individual tree, it tells us how big the tree is, species, when the last 3 times it was worked on and a photo of the individual tree.

From: CANUFNET [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On Behalf Of Peter Shields via CANUFNET
Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2018 2:26 PM
To: Scott Fairley <scott at treesandlandscape.com<mailto:scott at treesandlandscape.com>>; Canadian Urban Forest Network <canufnet at list.web.net<mailto:canufnet at list.web.net>>
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] High precision (+/- 10cm) tree location

My experiences have told me GPS is not the best solution. A problem with GPS is the actual locations and where property boundaries are near, and cm truly count, it will be off.  You would still need to ensure the GPS is then plotting to account for curvature of the earth etc. Which sounds excessive, but it needed if GPS will be your source for accuracy.  Under a canopy is difficult but I have done this so long as a large and know landmark (I.e. a tree, path, tower, fence, etc.) can be found using the below method.
I have completed many inventories, but they will require some "building" likely with a very knowledgeable person.  Have an ArcPad build set up to use a "head's up" point data collection using high resolution orthophoto's.  But google earth is not bad these days, and usually fairly current.  This will require some data mining pending on where you are collecting.  This will require for you to be able  to capture some reference points and measuring on the ground to find them.  Using ArcPad, you can measure fairly reliably to drop your point.  Hardware required will be a tablet.
The only need for sub metre accuracy, in my experience, has been for property ownership, and if it is contentious, you will likely need a proper surveyor to assist to confirm.
Hope this helps.

Peter Shields
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist ON-0570B, TRAQ
ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #536
peter.shields570 at gmail.com<mailto:peter.shields570 at gmail.com>
www.linkedin.com/in/peter-shields570<http://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-shields570>
(705) 500-4860
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________________________________
From: CANUFNET <canufnet-bounces at list.web.net<mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net>> on behalf of Scott Fairley via CANUFNET <canufnet at list.web.net<mailto:canufnet at list.web.net>>
Sent: Tuesday, November 6, 2018 1:07:16 PM
To: Canadian Urban Forest Network
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] High precision (+/- 10cm) tree location

The only device I've ever used that can get sub metre accuracy under tree canopy is the Trimble Geo 7x, as it has a built in laser rangefinder which can shoot under the tree crown to provide an offset from an accurate GPS reading. I have one and it works great, but the windows mobile 6.5 software is starting to feel very dated.

There may be other solutions that can provide a laser offset via a rangefinder linked to the GPS unit with Bluetooth, but I haven't much experience with them. Arcpad can do this, but you're back to the issue of generally using windows mobile again.

Best

Scott

Scott Fairley MA(landarch) MSc(for) LMLI M.arbor.A
consulting arborist|landscape designer

American Society of Consulting Arborists Member
PNWISA Chapter Member
ISA Certified Arborist UI-1192A
TRAQ Tree Risk Assessor
UK Licentiate Landscape Architect
UK Professional Member of the Arboricultural Association
UK Professional Tree Risk Assessor (PTI) LANTRA Awards

email: scott at treesandlandscape.com<mailto:scott at treesandlandscape.com>
web: www.treesandlandscape.com<http://www.treesandlandscape.com>
Tel: 1-(778)-583-6098

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On 5 Nov 2018, at 18:30, Maurice, Jerome via CANUFNET <canufnet at list.web.net<mailto:canufnet at list.web.net>> wrote:

Hi Canufnet,

I came across a recent discussion about tree geolocation tools used by some urban foresters (see below). Based on practical experience, is anyone able to recommend one or more devices that are highly accurate (+/- 20cm) for tree inventory ? what would be a reasonable target under closed canopy cover (20cm ? 50cm ? 1m ?)

Thanks a lot.

Jérôme Maurice, Ing.f. M.Sc.

-----Message d'origine-----
De : CANUFNET [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] De la part de Art Maat via CANUFNET
Envoyé : 19 janvier 2017 17:35
À : Marie-Hélène Sauvé; Canadian Urban Forest Network
Objet : Re: [CANUFNET] tree protection

Mobile software is available from Histree for plotting and or surveying tree locations with species, condition, images and other variable attribute data in field.

As well GPS hardware is available and can connect to Android or iOS devices via Bluetooth resulting in sub meter accuracy point locations.  Additionally using Histree and on board satelite views a user can also visually reference a location by moving the map while the pin is stationary. Much like Uber interface.

Regards,
Art Maat
780-937-4056

On Jan 19, 2017, at 3:08 PM, Marie-Hélène Sauvé via CANUFNET <canufnet at list.web.net<mailto:canufnet at list.web.net>> wrote:

Hi there,

Just to adjust something about GPS and urban forestry: there exists many
types of devices that are accurate enough (+/-10cm precision) to make a very
good distinction between two trees located nearby (and even the property -
if it's a public tree or not). Those devices are way more expensive than
those easy-to-use Garmin or other GPS device used traditionally in forestry.
Those high-level precision GPS are used by some consultants in the Greater
Montréal. So YES, it may be used and applied. The user has to know how to
use it properly though; GIS skills are required!

Cheers,

Marie-Hélène Sauvé

-----Message d'origine-----
De : CANUFNET [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] De la part de via
CANUFNET
Envoyé : 19 janvier 2017 13:12
À : jd at dunster.ca<mailto:jd at dunster.ca>; Julian Dunster; Michael Richardson; Canadian Urban Forest
Network
Objet : Re: [CANUFNET] tree protection

Unfortunately GPS is not accurate enough to plot trees, especially when
landmarks that are accurately located by a surveyor aren't close by (i.e. a
forest or large natural area).  GPS's currently available don't have the
resolution to separate two trees that are 2 feet apart, or may be on the
other side of a property line with 100% accuracy.  A critical point. It's a
help but not the solution, yet.

CAD and GIS are great for plotting the data (we use both) but the locations
need to be accurate to start with. The days of drawing-in a dot by hand on a
site plan are gone.

Stephen Smith
ISA Certified Arborist, Urban Forester
Urban Forest Associates Inc.
-----Original Message-----
From: Julian Dunster via CANUFNET
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2017 11:56 AM
To: Michael Richardson ; Canadian Urban Forest Network
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] tree protection

Many of arborists in Britain regularly use GPS, GIS, and CAD routinely for
development projects. One of them developed special CAD software for the
purpose. The lack of its use in Canada almost certainly reflects a lack it
being taught in curricula, as part of professional practice. We still focus
on pruning, planting, fertilising and tree stuff, all of which is fine but
needs expanding to the 21st century to include effective use of technology.
Several of my colleagues in BC use CAD all the time. I use GPS and GIS.

We need to expand the horizon of what arboriculture and urban forestry might
/ should entail. At the same time we can also inform surveyors and
architects of we expect them to produce - such as CAD symbols for canopy
that are scaled to reality on the ground, not simply rubber stamped on a
plan, all at the same size (a pet peeve).

On Behalf of Dunster and Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd.

Dr. Julian A Dunster R.P.F., R.P.P.., M.C.I.P., ISA Certified Arborist, ASCA
Registered Consulting Arborist # 378, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified BC
Wildlife Danger Tree Assessor Honourary Life Member ISA + PNWISA

North American distributor for Rinntech
www.dunster.ca<http://www.dunster.ca>

Some interesting thoughts here.

Those little dots; most arborists I know do not have the equipment or
expertise to to locate trees with any precision, nor the GIS software
to plot them.  If an arborist is using a plan created by a surveyor
than surely the arborist must locate and plot not the tree, but the
entire trunk diameter or root collar/trunk flare with the same
accuracy and precision.

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