Leafsnap: FREE, iPhone/2nd, 3rd gen iPad
You walk up to a tree, pull off a leaf and have no idea what species it is. Sure, you could use a key that makes you decide whether the underside leaf hairs are tomentose or pubescent, but who has time for that?
Wouldn’t it be easier if you could just take a picture of the leaf with your iPhone or iPad and have it tell you what the tree is instead?
Well, a team from Columbia University, University of Maryland, and the Smithsonian Institute thought so and the result is Leafsnap. This free app is a different take on the tree ID concept and is not only a useful tool but a gorgeous interface to look at and play with. Even if you are not using the leaf ID feature (like on my first generation iPad with no camera) it is still one of the more enjoyable tree ID apps to use. You can tag the location where you found a tree and other users can see those trees plotted on a map to check out nearby.
While an awesome concept, it does have some drawbacks to consider. It works by basically scanning the outside shape of the leaf and comparing it to others in the database. This is easy for distinct leaf shapes (like a sweetgum) but a little harder for more generic shapes (like a cherry, plum, or apricot) but it often gets you close.
The image snap can also read shadows as part of the leaf and misidentify things so try to lay the leaf as flat as possible when shooting. The app does lack a full form shot of the mature tree but makes up for it with detailed images of key characteristics like leaves, fruits and flowers. This app has a definite East Coast bias as it was intended for Washington D.C., New York and the Northeast but rumor has it they are working to expand the database nationwide. While not complete or universal yet this app certainly shows the possibilities that mobile devices could bring to the field guide paradigm, so stay tuned for further projects from this group.
More information about the Leafsnap app can be found at leafsnap.com. Image courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute.
Content provided courtesy of Brandon M. Gallagher Watson who is the director of communications for Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements. He is also a certified arborist, non-certified home brewer and certifiable mobile technology geek.