Rooted in Data

How AI is Transforming Tree Care

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For office-based teams in the tree care industry, the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) are becoming increasingly clear. From generating marketing content and managing social media to streamlining scheduling and crew logistics, many management platforms are now integrating AI features to boost efficiency.

But these administrative applications are only the beginning — AI is taking root far beyond the office, transforming how arborists diagnose, assess, and care for trees in the field.

AI for the Office-Facing Team

AI refers to the ability of machines to perform a task that typically requires human intelligence and finesse. Today, it takes on various forms and functionalities. Personally, my first interaction with AI was using it to compose meeting minutes — a fairly simple yet time-consuming task, especially for more in-depth conversations. Admittedly, ChatGPT does an amazing job with this, but it has quickly become advanced enough that it can also compose letters and articles and even refine them based on your specific inputs.

As an example, I decided to give ChatGPT a sample assignment. Here was my exact prompt:

“Compose an article on why you should invest in tree care in New England.”

And here’s what the AI service submitted:

Invest in Tree Care in New England!

Enhance your property’s value, improve air quality, and prevent costly damage by prioritizing tree care. Well-maintained trees not only beautify our landscapes but also provide energy savings and support local wildlife. By choosing local arborists, you contribute to the economy while nurturing our natural environment. Take action to preserve the charm of New England’s trees and ensure their health for generations to come.

Contact us today and let’s protect the beauty of our region together!

[Your Company Name] — Your Partner in Tree Care.

Then I instructed the chatbot to rewrite the article in a more direct tone. This was the result:

“Invest in Tree Care Today!

Protect your property and enhance its value by investing in tree care. Healthy trees improve air quality, prevent costly damage, and save on energy bills. They beautify your surroundings and support local wildlife. By choosing local experts, you support the economy and help preserve New England’s natural charm.

Don’t wait! Contact us now to safeguard your trees and elevate your landscape.”

Adding a bit more urgency…

“Act Now: Invest in Tree Care!

Time is running out to protect your property and enhance its value! Healthy trees are crucial for improving air quality, preventing costly damage, and lowering energy bills. They beautify your surroundings and support local wildlife, but neglect can have dire consequences.

Don’t delay — contact us today to ensure your trees are healthy and thriving. Preserve New England’s natural beauty before it’s too late!”

Each of these examples took seconds to compose, potentially freeing the office-facing teams for more complex projects. There is a caveat to this — AI is only as smart as we make it. What we feed the chatbots and services is what we get in return. This can often result in repetitive language and logical errors without a careful eye to correct them. Still, this proves that AI has potential to continue assisting tree care businesses with their desk-dependent projects.

AI in the Field

Of course, AI is not just a tool for marketing and administrative teams. By leveraging machine learning algorithms and advanced imaging technologies, its technical uses continue to grow as more developers realize just how useful it can be for spotting patterns and recognizing problem areas.

For on-site crews, there are dozens of apps that are aiding in estimates, diagnostics, treatment plans, and more. Adbian performs advanced biomechanical analysis of tree stability by combining photogrammetry and LiDAR scans with species-specific wood properties and local wind projections.

Arborists can integrate resistance drilling or tomographic data into Adbian’s model to simulate pruning scenarios, calculate changes in a tree’s safety factor, and create a more precise risk assessment. Unlike population-level LiDAR tools used for urban canopy management, Adbian enables highly detailed analysis at the level of individual trees.

Additional apps are beginning to use AI to analyze satellite imagery and identify signs of disease, pest infestations, water stress, and nutrient deficiencies — giving arborists remote, data-driven insight into tree health trends across a property or region.

According to Hank Ortiz founder and CEO of ArborNote, and JP McDonnell, assistant director of SavATree Consulting Group, AI is poised to reshape municipal and utility tree inventory management. Many cities and utility companies already collect data using LiDAR-equipped vehicles or drones. When paired with AI, this data can automatically prescribe tree management specifications, estimate required labor time, and even predict traffic disruptions — without an arborist ever visiting the site.

“This represents a monumental shift in how we manage public tree infrastructure,” Ortiz shared.

Still, McDonnell cautioned that AI should augment — not replace — the role of qualified arborists.

“While these tools can streamline large-scale inventories, they cannot yet match the nuance and professional judgment of a certified arborist on the ground,” he said.

Incorporating expert oversight ensures that investment is directed where it matters most, and that AI-generated recommendations remain aligned with industry standards.

Repercussions of Using AI for Tree Care

While AI offers significant potential to increase efficiency and improve outcomes in tree care, it is not without trade-offs. McDonnell expressed concern about the environmental cost of powering the massive data centers required to train and operate AI systems. As adoption increases, so too does the demand for electricity — raising sustainability questions that the industry will need to grapple with.

Additionally, there is the risk that overreliance on AI could lead to complacency or a devaluation of hands-on expertise. Ensuring that human arborists remain central to assessment and decision-making processes will be key to using AI responsibly.

Balancing Innovation With Experience

The integration of artificial intelligence into the tree care industry marks a significant leap forward in how arborists approach diagnostics, risk assessment, and large-scale management. Tools like Adbian offer unprecedented precision, while AI-driven inventory systems are transforming how municipalities and utilities maintain their urban forests.

Yet amid the promise of efficiency and innovation, it is crucial to strike a balance — leveraging AI to support, not supplant, the experience and judgment of trained professionals. By doing so, the industry can harness the power of emerging technology while upholding the standards, safety, and environmental responsibility that define quality tree care.

About the Author

Dane Buell is the past chairman of the ANSI A300 committee and TCIA representative. With over 30 years of experience, Buell holds several leadership roles in the tree care industry.