Calculate and understand the value of trees in your community.
i-Tree – A software suite from the USDA Forest Service that provides urban forestry analysis and benefits assessment tools. Version 4.0 of i-Tree offers several urban forest assessment applications including i-Tree Eco, previously known as UFORE and i-Tree Streets, previously known as STRATUM. In addition, several new and enhanced assessment tools are now available including i-Tree Hydro (beta), i-Tree Vue, i-Tree Design (beta) and i-Tree Canopy. Based on years of US Forest Service research and development, these innovative applications provide urban forest managers and advocates with tools to quantify ecosystem services and benefit values of community trees at multiple scales.
National Tree Benefit Calculator – Make a simple estimation of the benefits that an individual street tree provides. This tool is based on i-Tree’s street tree assessment tool called STREETS. With inputs of location, species and tree size, users will get an understanding of the environmental and economic value trees provide on an annual basis.
Tree Carbon Calculator – The only tool approved by the Climate Action Reserve’s Urban Forest Project Protocol for quantifying carbon dioxide sequestration from tree planting projects. This downloadable tool is programmed in an Excel spreadsheet and provides carbon-related information for a single tree located in one of 16 US climate zones.
ecoSmart Landscapes – A tree is more than just a landscape design feature. Planting trees on your property can lower energy costs and increase carbon storage, reducing your carbon footprint. A new online tool developed by the U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Research Station, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, and EcoLayers can help residential property owners estimate these tangible benefits.
Using a Google Maps interface, ecoSmart Landscapes allows homeowners to identify existing trees on their property or select where to place new planned trees; estimate and adjust tree growth based on current size or planting date; and calculate present and future carbon and energy impacts of existing and planned trees. After registration and login, Google Maps will zoom in to your property’s location based on your street address. Use the tool’s easy-to-use point and click functions to identify your parcel and building boundaries on the map. Next, input the size and type of trees on your property. The tool will then calculate the energy effects and carbon storage that those trees provide now and into the future. Such information can help guide you on the selection and placement of new trees on your property.
Carbon calculations are based on the only methodology approved by the Climate Action Reserve’s Urban Forest Project Protocol for quantifying carbon dioxide sequestration from tree planting projects. The program allows cities, utility companies, water districts, non-profits and other non-government organizations to integrate public tree planting programs into their carbon offset or urban forestry programs. The current beta release includes all California climate zones. Data for the remainder of the U.S. and an enterprise version designed for city planners and large-scale projects is due out the first quarter of 2013.