Tree Information: A Split Screen System

Basic inventory design considerations

It is essential to determine beforehand the form and purpose of your system (11). Some of the purposes of such systems were outlined (1) as follows: a) identify diseased or damage-prone tree species, b) determine which trees should be preserved and protected during development of building and facility construction sites, c) appraise the monetary value of trees that have been or might be injured or destroyed, d) develop a resource inventory for planning, budgetary, and maintenance operations, and e) support legal testimony of municipal representatives in the event of litigation resulting from damage by trees to people or property.

One example of a computerized system (3) involves a basic tree inventory combined with an elaborate tree health reporting system. Other approaches (9) provide for a random sampling procedure to establish species composition and structure of street tree populations. Three important attributes of a tree information system were outlined (4) as follows: a) What is the site, condition, and location of the tree? b) What work and/or inspections have been carried out? c) Are there any complaints and/or investigation records?

The tree card system

The basic tree card index system in Windsor, dating back from 1965, provided entries for size, condition, location, etc. Work completed for a municipal address was entered on the same card, whereas current work requests were handled through a separate manual system. In redesigning our system, the tree inventory data, current work requests, and work completed entries were integrated into one combined system. In addition, inventory parameters were selected to provide us with the opportunity to present species composition and age class profiles and other management considerations in order to produce working plans for 19 planning districts.

Choosing our computer system

The choice was between a microcomputer system (2) or choosing a main frame computer. Microcomputers are extremely useful where a relatively small data base is involved, such as in arboreta, small towns, or park tree inventories as outlined (5) and (10). A large data base of more than 10,000 trees makes the choice of a main frame computer a necessity. Our main frame computer is a 11-71, El Sperry operated by the Data Processing Section, Finance Department, of the City of Windsor, N9A 6W5. This main frame computer provides for a municipal data base for all physical and service functions on the municipal rights-of-way. Our tree inventory has become part of this data base and can be accessed through the municipal address listed on the tax rolls. This main frame data base system allows us to add our park tree inventory as well, and the park trees can be accessed through a park’s name.

A split screen layout

The basic design of our system is a double or split screen. This design provides us with the basic inventory situation at a municipal address, as well as allowing us to compile and sort data to produce working plans. The first screen is accessed through the municipal address and shows the layout in Table 1.

The second screen is the tree work order history file which is linked to the inventory file for a specific municipal address. This second file is accessed from the tree inventory file through a function key and shows the layout in Table 2.

The tree work order history file exhibits the combination of current work requests (WR) on the top entry line as well as past work performed. In this way, we are able to combine the manual work order requests system with work completed system into one system, which is linked directly to the physical tree situation at the municipal address. One screen display allows for nine vertical entries, but additional panels of nine items can be obtained by rolling the screen.

Parameters Of The Tree Inventory File

Discussion

Many variations in the design of a computerized tree inventory are possible (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11), depending on one’s objectives. The municipal tree inventory in Windsor is relatively simple to establish, operate, and update with limited staff and resources.

Secondly, the system is accessible for manipulation by our office and field staff and for this reason, a common name genus/species code rather than using scientific names was established. Also, tree locations are oriented to the street curb, rather than using a coordinate system. In addition, relative floating positioning order of trees for specific addresses is readily updated by field staff. Our tree condition is simple in comparison to elaborate tree health documentation (3), which requires higher skill level inputs.

Most importantly, by creating a split-screen design we were able to separate the tree inventory data from the work history data. By adding the current work requests to the work history records, a current system of tree information is provided which is directly linked to the tree inventory data. In summary, the split screen computer information system provides: a) instant information of the actual tree situation at each municipal address (tree inventory file), b) a record of arboricultural work performed at each address (tree work order history file), c) a record of current tree work requests, investigations, and outstanding work records (tree work order history file), d) computer printouts for arboricultural tenders (from tree inventory file), e) base-line data on the municipal trees that can be sorted by species, age, height, diameter for compilation of working plans by planning districts or larger working units (tree inventory file), and f) a faster and improved tree call response system.

The information items a, b, c are printed to provide the field staff with a work order sheet listing the tree situation and work performed as well as the actual current work request. The split-screen tree information system allows for work requests to be sorted immediately for their priority in investigation during the growing season work overload.