A British tree map dataset for planning and GIS. Detailed geospatial data of modelled tree locations, heights and canopy extents. Available as location, block, site plans, GIS tile extracts, or full datasets. Custom file formats available upon request.
Tree Mapping for England
ArborLayer turns open source geospatial data into a practical view of individual tree locations, heights and canopy sizes in the form of exact canopy polygons and radius crowns. Explore the results as an interactive layer, inspect individual features and add editable, labelled trees to your planning drawings or GIS workflow.
How ArborLayer is built: We built a custom mapping pipeline that analyses open LiDAR point clouds for height, vegetation structure, point density and laser-return patterns. Our algorithms and machine-learning models combine those signals with LiDAR surface and terrain models, derived vegetation objects, satellite imagery and building footprints to separate likely trees from buildings and other above-ground features.
Human-reviewed samples help us spot false positives and improve the models over time. Each mapped feature includes its source date, giving planning and property professionals useful early-stage context while making the age of the underlying data clear.
ArborLayer is in its pilot data phase. We are continually striving to improve the quality and accuracy of locations, heights and canopies where individual tree identification is challenging, and individual trees can be missed, merged or incorrectly identified. Use ArborLayer to inform early decisions, prior to full and formal tree surveys being commissioned.
What’s included in the dataset
Each mapped feature includes modelled dimensions and source information. Select an attribute below to see what it represents.
Each likely tree has a modelled centre point, making it easy to query individual features and connect their geometry to other spatial data across your site.
Locate and query modelled tree positionsApplications & Sectors
Practical tree context for planners, architects, surveyors, GIS analysts and researchers. Choose your area of work below.
Explore likely tree cover when assessing sites, layouts and potential constraints. Identify possible design conflicts early and prepare more effectively for a formal tree survey.
Planning Drawing Workflow
ArborLayer connects our modelled tree data directly to your GIS workflow or purchase tiles from our mapshop. Inspect mapped features, view their estimated dimensions and place labelled canopy symbols onto your planning application drawings.
View modelled canopy outlines, estimated heights and source dates within your site boundary.
Convert mapped features into labelled, editable canopy symbols with height and radius callouts.
Download scaled, planning-ready PDF, CAD DXF or image plans with tree context in place.
Coverage & Provenance
ArborLayer coverage is expanding across England, Wales & Scotland. Every feature includes date-stamped metadata so you can check the age of the underlying LiDAR survey for your site. We’re working on improving quality all the time across all of Britain to improve accuracy from our pilot data.
Check coverage for your areaChoose a 1-hectare site plan add-on, a 1 km² or 4 km² GIS extract, or talk to us about data for a larger site, corridor or region.
Delivery & Usage
Buy a small site from the mapshop, host a licensed dataset in your own GIS, or stream tiles through a custom API built for your organisation.
Mapshop
Use our location, block and site plan tooling to add ArborLayer trees to a defined site. Built for planning drawings where you need a scaled plan, not a full GIS dataset.
Self-hosted GIS
Receive ArborLayer as files you host and use inside commercial GIS workflows, or under education and charity licensing. Work in QGIS, ArcGIS, CAD or your own stack.
Custom API
We can build a custom API so your organisation can request ArborLayer tile by tile and stream it into applications, portals or mapping services.
Pricing & Licensing
Add ArborLayer data to a 1-hectare site plan, buy a 1 km² or 4 km² GIS extract, or ask us about licensing data for a larger area.
In PlanningMapsUK
Per plan · site area up to 1 hectare
Enquire about adding modelled tree data to your PlanningMapsUK order. Inspect height and canopy estimates, then bring editable canopy symbols onto your site plan.
For your own GIS
Modelled tree features and attributes for GIS and CAD workflows, supplied as defined-area extracts or larger datasets with project licensing.
Tell us your area of interest and format requirements. We’ll confirm current coverage and provide suitable licensing terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coverage, formats, licensing and practical limits of modelled tree data.
ArborLayer is PlanningMapsUK’s modelled tree mapping dataset. It provides likely tree locations, estimated heights, modelled canopy outlines and source dates for planning, architecture and GIS work. Coverage is expanding across England.
Enquire about the planned site add-on (£12.95 for up to 1 ha), as a GIS extract (£29.95 for 1 km² or £79 for 4 km²), or by asking us about a larger-area dataset for GIS and research use.
Our tree drawing tool lets you place and label tree symbols manually. ArborLayer uses our custom algorithms and machine-learning models to derive likely tree positions, estimated heights and modelled canopy dimensions from open geospatial data before you begin drawing.
ArborLayer tree map data can be supplied in standard GIS formats including GeoJSON, Shapefile, DXF (for CAD workflows), and PMTiles for web mapping. We can output data in British National Grid (EPSG:27700) or WGS84 coordinates.
Yes. We provide commercial and academic licensing for larger sites, corridors and regional extracts where coverage is available. Contact us with your area of interest and intended use to receive sample data and licensing terms.
ArborLayer features are automated estimates, not surveyed measurements. Coverage and source dates vary, and trees can be missed, merged or incorrectly identified. Source dates are attached to mapped features so you can check the age of the underlying data. ArborLayer is useful for early-stage planning and desktop analysis, but it does not replace a professional tree survey.
No. ArborLayer provides modelled canopy extents, estimated heights and likely locations; it does not provide surveyed trunk positions, identify species, assess tree health or record Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs). Use it for initial site appraisal and layout planning before a detailed ground survey.
British Tree Mapping · Expanding England Coverage · Planning · Architecture · Infrastructure · Environment · GIS Research
