Tree Inventories in a Digital Age
Written by: By Nathan Schuettpelz, Consulting Department Manager Wachtel Tree Science and Service, Inc.
Why would anyone think of requesting a tree inventory? It seems like a lot of effort and energy involved just to collect some information for trees on a property. I recognize that train of thought, though consider these points prior to dismissing an inventory.
- Are you responsible for managing more than one property?
- Do you serve on a board that is responsible for multiple homes in a community?
- Did you take notes on paper the last time you had a professional inspect your trees?
- Did that paper make it into the recycle bin during this spring’s intense house cleaning???
Please take some time to read on if you answered yes to any of these questions!
Simply put, the consulting arborists at Wachtel Tree Science are committed to providing an easy to access, easy to use, and easy to interpret web-based tree inventory. Our tree inventories are completed in the TreePlotter application, which allows you to access and utilize your data using a secure login. Our inventories also can be imported into an existing geographic information system (GIS).
A tree inventory can be very flexible depending on the wants and needs of your association or properties you manage. A basic tree inventory will capture the location of a tree on a map and combine that location with a tree’s species and size. A comprehensive inventory will collect information regarding the site; multiple observations of a tree’s size, condition, and health; and recommendations on future management activities. The amount of detail captured within an inventory influences the pricing of a project. We are committed to working with you to find the best solution that works with your budget.
Incorporating trees with smart devices makes a lot of sense in a technology friendly world. Accessing the inventory from your phone will allow you to walk with association members, tracking work records for specific trees. You can easily organize maps and lists that communicate your recommendations if you are a property manager. Multiple property inventories are neatly organized in one online location. The days of trying to interpret scribbled notes with hand drawn maps are behind us.
I encourage you to review your current landscaping records. If these records are hastily captured and stuffed into some long-forgotten work file, give us a call. We can reorganize your inventory that will assist you for years to come. Wachtel Tree Science is here to help you streamline your landscape tree management!