GroTree – A Novel Toolbox for Simulating and Managing Urban Tree Canopy Growth

Urban trees provide cities with critical Ecosystem Services (ESS) through their large biomass and specific canopy geometry, making them a fundamental component of Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI). Following the concept of target-driven tree planting and maintenance, we outline here a comprehensive toolbox embedded in Rhino Grasshopper that integrates three models already developed and three models currently under development by the authors. The three existing models are 1) CityTree for estimating tree growth, ecosystem services, and plant physiology, 2) TreeML for predicting tree canopy geometry growth, and 3) PrunML for growth prediction under pruning. The three other tools currently under development will be integrated into the toolbox in the next version. These are 4.) TLVGenerator for generating Target Leaf Voxel (TLV), 5.) TreeML-Planter for optimizing the tree planting location, and 6.) PrunML-Manager for making tree canopy manipulation decisions. The final toolbox aims to assist designers, planners, gardeners, and other professionals in enhancing the ESS of trees in the next generation of UGI. We conclude by discussing the chances and potential limitations of the individual tools and the overall approach and frame open questions and potential next research steps.