Many industries have quickly become technology-intensive; the need to combine technology with typical functions
of a firm has become increasingly predominant. West Coast Arborists, Inc. has implemented technology across the
organization and combined it with the full range of tree care services. As a result, technology has enabled us to
reduce costs, increase services and provide municipalities with essential, decision-making information on past,
present and future urban forest health and environmental issues. Our technological innovation has allowed us to plan,
project, and implement programs that address the multi-faceted needs of the urban forest. We have achieved a significant
advantage through effective management of information, including our experience in tree inventories, tree reports ,
maintenance recommendations, and software development. As we enter the next millennium the success of any urban forest
management program will depend on the comprehensive and timely management of information. We have more than fifteen years
experience in collecting tree inventories and developing inventory databases, including a powerful information
management program that standardizes and enables dynamic management of the City’s Urban Forest. In addition to providing
complete tree care, WCA assists cities with the development of tree inventories, tree master plans and tree management plans.
Prior to conducting an inventory, WCA will schedule a scope refinement meeting with City staff to identify the criteria
for evaluating the City’s urban forest as well as determine which tree inventory collection method will be pursued. We will
also provide identification of dying and/or diseased trees and recommended planting sites. The success of any urban forest
management program will depend on the management of information; such information allows the City to make significant decisions
on tree related issues. Should the City’s staff, Commissioners, and/or Council request further, in-depth reports on specific
trees, we are staffed with qualified and Certified personnel to provide a thorough analysis.
We can perform a complete tree inventory through one of three methods:
- - Tree inventory collected prior to commencement of work
- - Tree inventory and Global Positioning System (GPS) information collected prior to work
- - Tree inventory collected as work progresses
Prior to Commencement of Work
The first option is to conduct an inventory prior to performing any tree maintenance. A professional Inventory Specialist, who is a certified arborist as recognized by the Western Chapter International Society of Arboriculture (WCISA), will walk each City street to collect tree site information and to assess the tree condition. The information will be provided to the City in a database format, which can be downloaded into several current, computer software programs.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
The second option that is completed prior to the commencement of work is to collect the tree inventory using Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates. The tree inventory and GPS coordinates can be linked directly to a Geographical Information System (GIS) program, such as ArcView, for geo-coding purposes. Using a handheld computer and a backpack GPS receiver, the inventory collector will identify the trees by their global coordinates of longitude and latitude, within one meter. By collecting the data using the GPS system, the City can overlay the tree data with GIS layers or other infrastructure assets. At the end of the project, the City will receive a complete listing of all sites inventoried, both in hard copy and on a computer diskette, which will enable connecting the inventory to the City’s GIS program, along with various frequency reports generated from the data contained in the inventory.
As Work Progresses
The final option is to conduct an inventory as tree maintenance is performed. Through a grid trimming system, the Foreman will record the tree site data and submit the information for processing along with the bi-weekly billing. The completion of the inventory coincides with the trim cycle set forth by the City.
Condition of City’s Urban Forest
The success of any urban forest management program will depend on the management of information; WCA believes this information will allow the City to make essential decisions on tree related issues. Should the City’s staff, Commissioners, and/or Council request further, in-depth reports on specific trees, we are staffed with qualified Certified personnel to provide a thorough analysis. Prior to the commencement of work, we will provide a complete inventory of the City’s Urban Forest. In addition to the tree inventory, we will provide identification of dying and/or diseased trees and recommended planting sites.
