OUR awareness of the ecosystem services that trees provide could be ‘radically increased’ by the launch of a new digital service. 

An update from the Davey Tree Expert Company will allow its i-Tree tool to communicate with similar tree inventory applications, displaying relevant information in an inventory. 

It is hoped this increased awareness will filter through to the future planning of our urban tree populations, and will go on to underpin tree strategies.

A Davey Tree Expert Company statement added: “Enabling i-Tree to ‘talk to’ the many tree inventory applications in use across the industry could radically increase awareness of the ecosystem services that trees provide.

“The cost of adding i-Tree’s new API to an existing application will be around a few US cents per tree. 

“However, existing tree databases will be able to accommodate mass updates at a reduced rate. 

“Users must attribute i-Tree on any display of tree benefits derived from the API.

Forestry Journal:

“Proper attribution includes an indication that the data or information is ‘Powered by i-Tree’, including a display of the i-Tree logo and a link to the i-Tree website.” 

The i-Tree API is currently in the beta stage and being trialled, but will soon be readily available.