User Manual

Updated: 1/19/2018

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What can Tree Matrix do for you?

• Tree Matrix offers two products to solve persistent landscape management challenges - tree survivability during land development, and finding the ‘right tree for the right location.’
• Our Predictive Analytics Engine (PAE) is based upon a proprietary mathematical matrix to determine survivability percentage for trees impacted during construction or other land development activities. Machine learning will sharpen these predictions as project data is accumulated.
• The PAE was developed by Keith Pitchford, (ISA certified arborist) and based upon 30 years of tree protection experience. It will reduce uncertainty by predicting tree survivability based upon 5 equally important parameters.
• The Landscape Planning Tool (LPT) can access its database of over 1,300 trees and plants to find the best plant for your planting situation.

Click here to watch our tutorial videos on YouTube

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Table of Contents

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Section 1: Setting up your account

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Section 1: Using the Predictive Analytics Engine

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Section 2: Using the Landscape Planning Tool

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Pages 4-6

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Pages 7-15

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Pages 16-19

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Setting up your account

Select a plan on our website

Select a plan and click Buy Now

Step 2

Create a new account

First, fill in the New Customer information and click Create account and continue

Second, enter your Username and Password and click Log in

Step 3

Enter your payment information

Once you have entered your information click Continue to review and then checkout.

Using your Dashboard

After Logging in you will be taken to your Dashboard. Click Select to enter either the Predictive Analytics Engine or the Landscape Planning Tool

Using the Predictive Analytics Engine, part 1

When all of the information has been entered, click Continue to upload your file and enter the tool.

To upload a new site plan click Browse and select a 1 page PDF file. You must use a vector-based PDF. Give it a name so you can identify it in the future.

Select a predefined scale in the dropdown menu that matches your site plans, or choose “Other” to enter your own.

Using the Predictive Analytics Engine, part 2

Here you can edit the name of your site plan and a short description.

The buttons from top to bottom are: Draw a rectangle boundary, Draw a polygon boundary, Place a tree, Edit layers, and Delete objects.

Using the Predictive Analytics Engine, part 3

Using either the square or polygon tool, identify all existing boundaries and Limits of Disturbance (LOD) that can stop, or re-direct root growth.

Examples of boundaries and LODs include buildings, walls, curbing or extensive areas of impermeable surface such as parking lots.

Using the Predictive Analytics Engine, part 4

Click the place tree tool, and then click on the location of a tree on your site plan.

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Next, add tree information, including number of stems, trunk diameter, tree type, condition, season of impact, and how many of sides are being impacted. Impact is defined as any root cutting that penetrates 1-2 feet deep.

Note: Providing accurate information ensures you get a realistic survivability score.

Using the Predictive Analytics Engine, part 5

Our website will attempt to move the root plate and CRZ away from existing boundaries. In rare situations errors might occur, so we recommend you double check the roots are going where they should be.

You may not recapture all of the CRZ due to existing boundaries. This is not usual however because of limits to root expansion, and is often a reason for poor tree health.

Roots may extend 2-3 times beyond the limits of the drip line. So only expand the CRZ to limits that meet this characteristic!

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Try to recapture as much of the CRZ assigned by the PAE as possible.

Using the Predictive Analytics Engine, part 6

Using either of the draw boundary tools, place proposed new structures on the site plan.

NOTE: The PAE uses five parameters to calculate the survival percentage of each tree.

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Using the Predictive Analytics Engine, part 7

Click on a tree to see its survival score. Green means high survival chance, yellow moderate, and red means low.

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You can adjust the parameters in order to increase the survivability percentage and see how different seasons of impact change the score.

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Note: Root areas shaded in red indicate areas of root loss due to new boundaries.

Running Reports

Click Save & Run Report in the upper right hand corner to generate a customized report, with each tree’s details and survival score.

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Using the Landscape Planning Tool

Enter the parameters for your search, such as zip code, planting conditions, the square footage available, mature size, sun availability, tree size you desire.

Note: Tree Matrix uses a database of over 1,300 trees and shrubs to deliver highly accurate results.

Use the advanced search options to sort for other plant features, such as spring flowers, fall color, berries, or other plant characteristics.

Click Search to get your results.

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Using the Landscape Planning Tool, contd.

The LPT will produce a list of appropriate trees or shrubs for your planting conditions and hardiness zone.

Click the box next to one or more plants you are interested in.

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Click Next to generate a printable report with your selections.

Using the Landscape Planning Tool, contd.

The reports screen displays details for each selected plant. You can click on View images on Google to see images of each plant.

At the bottom, click Print to save as a PDF or send to your printer.