Method and system for locating a stem of a target tree

A computer readable storage medium, having stored thereon instructions for locating a stem of a target tree, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

• provide a sensing dataset;
• identify the target tree from the sensing dataset;
• create at least one slice from the sensing dataset, the at least one slice including at least a portion of the target tree;
• and
• determine a tree stem location of the target tree from the at least one slice.

A graphical user interface for use on an electronic device, the graphical user interface for locating a stem of a target tree and comprising:

• a dataset selection control configured to provide a sensing dataset;
• a target selection control configured to identify the target tree from the sensing dataset;
• a slice control configured to create at least one slice from the sensing dataset, the at least one slice including at least a portion of the target tree;
• and
• a stem location display configured to display a tree stem location of the target tree which is determined from the at least one slice.

A system for locating a stem of a target tree, comprising:

• a) a processor configured to:
• 1) identify the target tree from a sensing dataset;
• 2) create at least one slice from the sensing dataset, the at least one slice including at least a portion of the target tree;
• and
• 3) determine a tree stem location of the target tree from the at least one slice;
• b) a data input coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with the sensing dataset;
• and
• c) a user interface coupled to either the processor or the data input.

A method for locating a stem of a target tree, comprising:

• a) identifying the target tree from an aerially gathered three-dimensional sensing dataset selected from the group consisting of:
• 1) light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data;
• 2) laser scanning data;
• 3) radar data;
• 4) synthetic aperture radar data;
• and
• 5) data from a sensor based on scanning distance-measurement and providing 3D point clouds;
• the target tree being identified by identifying at least one of a crown or a highest point of a crown of the target tree from the sensing dataset;
• b) creating at least one substantially vertical slice from the sensing dataset, the at least one slice including:
• 1) at least a portion of the target tree;
• and
• 2) a terrain;
• c) determining a tree stem location of the target tree from the at least one slice by fitting a stem location curve from the included portion of the target tree to the terrain based on tree data in the at least one slice;
• d) defining a stem origin where the stem location curve intersects the terrain;
• e) displaying at least one of the stem location curve or the stem origin along with a representation of the at least one slice;
• f) predicting whether at least one tree point of interest on the target tree is liable to intersect with a safety buffer zone by rotating the at least one tree point of interest around a bearing point related to the stem location curve, wherein:
• 1) the at least one tree point of interest is selected from a group consisting of a part of the stem location curve, an end of the stem location curve opposite the terrain, the included portion of the target tree, and a user-selected point in the at least one slice;
• 2) the bearing point related to the stem location curve is selected from the group consisting of the stem origin, a root offset from the stem origin, a distance along the stem location curve from the stem origin, a position on the stem location curve at a designated height from the terrain;
• and
• g) if it is predicted that the at least one tree point of interest on the target tree is liable to intersect with the safety buffer zone, then taking an action selected from the group consisting of:
• 1) notifying a user of a possible intersection with the safety buffer zone;
• 2) displaying one or more possible points of intersection with the safety buffer zone;
• 3) attributing a tree database with an interaction table record that describes an interaction between the target tree and the safety buffer zone;
• 4) flagging the target tree on a map as needing service due to possible intersection with the safety buffer zone;
• and
• 5) generating a work order to have the target tree mitigated.