i-Tree Tools

Details

Overview

i-Tree is a suite of free, peer-reviewed software tools developed by the USDA Forest Service for quantifying urban forest structure, function, and value. The platform enables cities and land managers to conduct comprehensive inventories of street trees, park forests, and remnant vegetation, then translate physical measurements into ecosystem-service metrics including carbon storage, stormwater interception, and air pollutant removal.

Key Features

• Forest inventory modules: Plot-based or street-segment sampling protocols to characterise tree species, size class, and health condition across urban areas
• Carbon accounting: Quantification of above-ground biomass carbon storage and annual sequestration rates by species and land-use type
• Ecosystem service valuation: Monetised estimates of air quality improvement, stormwater management, energy savings, and other co-benefits
• Comparative analysis: Benchmarking local forest structure against regional and national datasets to identify management priorities

Who Is It For?

Municipal foresters, urban planners, environmental consultants, and non-profit organisations managing or advocating for urban green space. i-Tree is designed for intermediate users who have basic GIS literacy or are willing to learn standard data-collection and analysis workflows.

Getting Started

Download the i-Tree suite from itreetools.org, where you will find desktop applications, online tools, and detailed manuals for each module. The USDA Forest Service provides training webinars and case studies demonstrating how cities have used i-Tree outputs to justify tree-planting budgets and prioritise maintenance investments.