Digital Tree Inventory Outperforms Fieldwork in Dutch Pilot

In September 2025, the Netherlands became the stage for a turning point in urban forestry. Together with Terra Nostra and four participating municipalities, Utrecht, Veenendaal, Ede, and Land van Cuijk, as well as Boomkwekerij Ebben, greehill scanned and analysed more than 21,000 trees using LiDAR and artificial intelligence. 

The results, published in Vakblad Boomzorg, and the conclusion is unmistakable: digital tree data can meet and often exceed the accuracy of fieldwork.   

From measuring averages to measuring every tree 

For decades, field surveys have been the foundation of tree management. But manual methods, while valuable, rely on averages, subjective assessments, and limited reach. 

The Dutch pilot showed what happens when that approach is replaced with 360° LiDAR scans and AI-powered analysis: every tree is measured individually — its height, stem diameter, crown volume, and position recorded in millimetre-level detail. 

“In one day, we can fully map thousands of trees,” said Jan Willem de Groot, Director of Terra Nostra. “The precision and speed redefine what’s possible in tree management.”

Precision meets consistency   

The Smart Tree Inventory achieved an 80% data match with existing municipal records, often outperforming fieldwork where manual rounding or visual estimates caused variation. The system proved particularly strong in geolocation, height, and stem diameter, while continuing to evolve in species recognition and condition assessment as the AI learns from more regional data. 

“Even experts sometimes disagree on tree species,” noted Sven König, Vice President Europe at greehill. “Each dataset adds to a growing model of the urban forest, precise, objective, and endlessly scalable."

Voxel-based crown volume: data that shapes policy  

BIn the Netherlands, crown volume isn’t just a metric; it’s a legal target. Municipalities are required to increase total canopy area and that means they need exact data, not estimates. Using voxel technology (3D pixels), greehill calculates crown volume for each tree, producing results that align closely with the Handboek Bomen methodology while offering far greater granularity.

From ecosystem services to branch-level safety 

Beyond geometry, the system automatically quantifies ecosystem services: carbon storage, water interception, and air pollution capture. Powered by i-Tree Eco, these calculations reveal how every single tree contributes to climate resilience.

A recent platform update now detects branches intruding into roadways or near buildings, giving cities a proactive safety tool that once required manual inspection. Municipal teams praised both the accuracy and usability of the data with many calling for an API to integrate it directly into GIS, climate, and infrastructure systems. 

“Cities are carrying more responsibility for green infrastructure,” said de Groot. “With this platform, they can finally manage it with the same precision as any other network.” For Boomkwekerij Ebben, one of the pilot participants, the results confirmed the practical value of digital tree data for daily operations and client communication. 

This shared pilot illustrates how digital data connects nurseries, planners, and municipalities in a single, accurate, and living map of the urban forest.  

A five-year partnership for a measurable future 

Following the successful pilot, Terra Nostra and greehill extended their cooperation for another five years, building on this foundation to help cities manage trees as infrastructure. 

What began as a 21,000-tree test is now a roadmap for millions. The forest may be complex, but with the right data, it becomes transparent, measurable, and alive with opportunity.