Urban tree management has evolved over time. What started as visual cues and inspections to determine which trees need work and when has evolved into cutting-edge technologies such as GIS mapping, AI, machine learning, and LiDAR that provide objective data and help local tree managers make informed decisions about urban forest health.
Smart tree management continues to advance, moving from using robust data to prioritize tree planting to focusing on tree longevity and a higher-performing urban forest. This concept, called Urban Forestry 2.0, rests on five dimensions: pattern recognition using AI, repeatable measurements through technology and sensing, tree performance and lifespan, the place-based function of an ecosystem, and well-being outcomes for human health.
The Five Dimensions Of Urban Forestry 2.0
Artificial Intelligence – AI use among the general public is shifting from content creation to professional support, research, analysis, and decision-making. While it isn't a replacement for an urban forestry professional's expertise, AI can recognize patterns too large or complex for humans to spot. Since the inception of smart tree inventories, Davey Resource Group (DRG) and its technology partner, Greehill, have collected data on more than 1.25 million individual trees across 24 U.S. cities, creating a large dataset that reveals species trends, maintenance outliers, decline signals, and planting gaps. This enables earlier detection and insights that improve prioritization and how experts spend their time.
Technology & Sensing – LiDAR, high-resolution imaging, sensors, and satellite imagery are some of the advanced technologies we utilize to monitor the same tree canopy over time. These tools allow experts to take repeatable measurements of growth, decline, canopy change, and maintenance trends, providing objective, measurable insights as conditions change.
Trees & Biology – Advanced datasets from high-quality imaging and smart tree inventories make comparison easier when grouped into a cohort. A canopy cohort identifies outliers through peer benchmarking, species comparisons, and regional insights for smarter preservation methods, better monitoring, precise pruning, and informed removals.
Place-Based Ecosystems – Tree-based benefits are also place-based. The 3+30+300 Principle promotes tree benefits to improve heat, flooding, and air quality for long-term community resilience in areas where it is needed most
Human Health & Well-Being – The health benefits of trees are widely known. Through biophilic design, communities can intentionally incorporate nature into the built environment, connecting people with trees and green spaces in their everyday lives. A robust urban tree canopy can help lower stress, improve mood and focus, filter air pollution, provide natural shade and cooling, and encourage physical activity. Trees can improve how people live, move, recover, and feel.
The New Era Of Smart Tree Management
Smart tree management is a different approach to urban forestry that improves tree canopy health and, in turn, extends urban forestry longevity by improving existing processes for tree inventories, pruning, and canopy health assessments.
The traditional 5-10 year tree inventory standard is too infrequent to detect issues and manage them. A 2-year timeframe decreases the time between initial detection and action. Smart tree inventories use LiDAR and 360 imaging to create a tree's digital twin, providing objective data that visual inspections may miss.
Prescribed pruning focuses on the first 12 years of a tree’s life rather than pruning a mature tree. The 2-year training cycle creates stronger branch unions and decreases issues like bark inclusions on young trees.
AI-based canopy health assessments measure leaf area index and dieback percentage. In cohort analysis, these assessments can identify outliers for arborists to monitor.
Davey Resource Group (DRG) keeps its finger on the pulse of new technologies and methodologies to progress urban forest management. To learn more about smart tree management, watch our recent webinar or contact your local DRG office.
Article Contributors:
Josh Behounek, Business Development Manager, Davey Resource Group
Smart Tree Management FAQs
Urban Forestry 2.0 is a data-driven approach to urban forest management that uses artificial intelligence (AI), advanced technology, and ecological insights to improve tree health, longevity, and community benefits. Unlike traditional urban forestry practices that primarily focus on tree planting and periodic inspections, Urban Forestry 2.0 emphasizes ongoing monitoring, measurable tree performance, and proactive maintenance. Its five dimensions include AI-powered pattern recognition, repeatable canopy measurements, tree biology and lifespan, place-based ecosystem benefits, and human health outcomes. By integrating these principles into urban forest management plans, municipalities can make more informed decisions about tree preservation, maintenance priorities, and long-term canopy sustainability.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and LiDAR technology are improving urban tree inventories by providing measurable data that helps municipalities assess tree conditions, identify emerging risks, and prioritize maintenance. LiDAR and high-resolution imaging capture detailed information about tree structure and canopy conditions, while AI identifies patterns in large datasets that traditional inspections may miss. Smart tree inventories can also create digital representations of individual trees, allowing urban foresters to track changes over time. These technologies support more frequent assessments, earlier identification of potential problems, and data-driven decisions about pruning, tree preservation, and urban forest management.
Municipalities should update urban tree inventories about every two years to support proactive tree maintenance and faster identification of emerging health concerns. Legacy inventory cycles of five to ten years can leave significant gaps in information about tree condition, canopy changes, and maintenance needs. Smart tree inventory technology, including LiDAR and 360-degree imaging, enables more frequent assessments by improving data-collection efficiency. A shorter inventory cycle lets urban foresters monitor changes, identify potential risks, and prioritize maintenance before problems worsen. The appropriate frequency should reflect municipal resources, tree conditions, and urban forest management objectives.
Smart tree management can improve urban tree health and longevity by using data-driven assessments to identify maintenance needs earlier and guide proactive care. Smart tree inventories, AI-based canopy health assessments, and repeatable measurements help urban foresters monitor tree growth, detect decline, and compare performance across similar trees. These insights can inform decisions on targeted pruning, preservation, and removal. For younger trees, prescribed pruning on a two-year cycle during the first 12 years can encourage stronger branch structure and reduce future structural concerns. Integrating these practices into municipal urban forestry programs supports healthier trees, more efficient maintenance planning, and long-term canopy resilience.
Data-driven urban forestry can improve community resilience and sustainability by helping municipalities identify where tree canopy provides the greatest environmental and public health benefits. Smart tree inventories, GIS mapping, and canopy assessments provide information to support strategic decisions on tree planting, preservation, and maintenance. Place-based planning approaches, such as the 3+30+300 principles, can help communities evaluate tree access and canopy distribution. These insights can guide urban forest management strategies that address extreme heat, stormwater runoff, air quality, and unequal access to green space. By connecting measurable tree performance with community needs, municipalities can prioritize investments that support long-term environmental sustainability and human well-being.
