i-Tree: What's New

i-Tree version 4 - Now Available!

The i-Tree Team is excited to announce that i-Tree v4.0 is now available. In addition to significant upgrades to existing applications, i-Tree v4.0 offers users new easily accessible online analysis tools such as i-Tree Design and i-Tree Canopy. Furthermore, i-Tree Hydro provides users with an innovative new watershed scale hydrology modeling application. Below is a snapshot of some of the new tools and features now available in i-Tree v4.0 along with other information of interest.

View archived copies of i-Tree v4 and Pest Detection training modules

i-Tree users interested in learning more about the new i-Tree v4 tools and updates can view archived copies of online sessions. Visit the UNRI website or visit the i-Tree Training page to link to online webinars.

i-Tree Design (beta)

i-Tree Design (beta) is a simple online tool that provides a platform for assessments of individual trees at the parcel level. This tool links to Google Maps and allows you to see how tree selection, tree size, and placement around your home effects energy use and other benefits. This beta tool is the first stage in development of more sophisticated options that will be available in future versions.

i-Tree Canopy

i-Tree Canopy offers a quick and easy way to produce a statistically valid estimate of land cover types (e.g., tree cover) using aerial images available in Google Maps. The data can be used by urban forest managers to estimate tree canopy cover, set canopy goals, and track success; and to estimate inputs for use in i-Tree Hydro and elsewhere where land cover data are needed.

i-Tree Hydro (beta)

i-Tree Hydro is a new application designed for natural resource managers, planners and others interested in modeling the watershed-scale effects that vegetation has on local hydrology and water quality. This stand-alone model will require several inputs including a digital elevation model of a defined watershed, hourly stream flow data, local hourly weather and evapotranspiration data and urban forest structural data such as percent tree and shrub cover within the watershed.

i-Tree Vue

i-Tree Vue provides users with several key enhancements. Users will be able to superimpose transparent national land cover data (NLCD) maps (30 m resolution) on top of Google aerial images improving orientation and allowing for evaluation of differences between the 2001 NLCD data set with more recent aerial images. In addition, Vue users will be able to make regional adjustments to canopy and impervious estimates based on recent research. Vue also features a new simple image "clipping" function to define or modify an area of interest from within the application.

I-PED Enhancements in Streets v4

The (IPED) Integraged Pest Evaluation and Detection module within the i-Tree Streets application is enhanced with advance pest reporting and analysis functionality. In addition to pest summary and symptom reports, users now have the ability to dynamically query and review pest and symptom data records for more indepth analyses of their inventory records Check out the the Integrated Pest and Evaluation Detection Module or visit the IPED Wiki online resources for more details.

i-Tree Eco v4 updates

Eco v4.0 offers two particularly significant upgrades over earlier versions. First, U.S. projects that make use of standard weather and air quality data will no longer need to be sent to the Forest Service for processing. An automated system is now available that completes data analysis within one day. Second, updates have been made to the air quality model, including improved leaf area index simulations, weather and air pollution data processing and interpolation, updated monetary values for reduced pollutant levels, and improved charts and tables that now display yearly, monthly, or hourly results. Due to these changes, users can expect more refined calculations of air pollution effects when compared with earlier versions of Eco.

Updating from i-Tree 3.x to 4.x

i-Tree users working with i-Tree version 3.x can select the Check for Updates option availble from the Help menu of any application to install the version 4.0 upgrade package. If you are working with a current project, the application will walk you through necessary steps to update your current project. New users wishing to install i-Tree for the first time will need to register and then can request and install the software. The online analysis tools (Design & Canopy) do not require registration or software installation.

Current i-Tree Version 4.x Numbers

It is important for active users of i-Tree to periodically use the "Check for Updates" tool found under the Help menu of all applications. This will ensure that you are using the most up-to-date version available. If you installed all i-Tree components, they will all be updated when performing this function. The change log lists the changes that have been made to each application and is available on the i-Tree website.

Follow i-Tree on Twitter

For those interested in keeping up with the latest i-Tree related news, articles, software updates, conference information, training opportunities and more, you can now follow i-Tree on Twitter.

Updated January 27 2012