Mapping Madrone on TreeSnap
TreeSnap got its start in 2017, funded in part by the National Science Foundation Plant Genome Research Program. People have been using this app to track Midwest tree diseases and pests, like dutch elm disease and emerald ash borer. And Pacific madrone was the first West Coast tree added to the app in late 2018. Data collected can be applied to real research - we are interested in health and range of madrones.
“We are excited to have our first native tree from the western part of the United States included in TreeSnap, making this a truly national effort. With so many new species and passionate conservation groups, we enjoy watching the leaderboard on the home page, where everyone can see who is reporting the most trees. This competition aspect really helps to motivate people to get out in nature and see the trees around them.”
– Meg Staton, TreeSnap
TreeSnap
Decentralizing a tree survey like this empowers everyone to collectively contribute data with the intent of understanding how this species is tolerating myriad diseases and to identify healthy tree populations. Surveyors using the app pinpoint tree location and health on the map, so data from British Columbia to Southern Californica will ultimately help inform us about the true range of the species along our shared Western Coast.
You too can be our “eyes-in-the-field.” Anyone can virtually tag or "snap" these trees using TreeSnap. All you need is to download the free app on your mobile device and a basic knowledge of how to identify Pacific madrone.
Help us Snap madrones
You walk through your neighborhood and park and spot a madrone. Bingo.
Open the app and snap a photo. Location services on your phone pinpoints the location of the tree. The approximate spot will later show up on the TreeSnap global map, but the exact location is kept secret.
Answer questions about the height and diameter of the tree
Do you find this tree standing alone by itself or in a forest? Answer a question about that.
Give your opinion about the health of the tree’s canopy
Note any disease symptoms on the leaves, branches and trunk(s)
Leave a few comments if you wish. Boom, done in less than five minutes.
Click the map on the left to access Pacific madrone distribution data on TreeSnap. Select the Category to see the Pacific madrone collection. Collectively, we will be adding to this data set so it will evolve over time. By registering and loggin in, one has the option of joining the "Arbutus ARME" group. Then one can view the dashboard of all Pacific madrone observations.
The health of Pacific madrone trees submitted in TreeSnap have been highly variable. This variation is interesting, but more observations are needed to see if any patterns emerge. We are also looking at the health of the trees in relation to the symptoms that are reported, so stay tuned for more information here and in our newsletters!
Mobile surveys are not your thing?
A paper formsis available below. Also you will find a downloadable assessment guidebook to help navigate submitting your first data report.
