Miniature UAVs and Photogrammetry—A Novel Approach to Collecting Aerial Inspection Data from Mature Broadleaf Trees

Background: Production of high-quality 3D models trees has a practical application in arboriculture, allowing the assessment, measurement, and recording aboveground structural features individual trees. Commercially available hobby UAVs (uncrewed aerial vehicles) with integrated cameras combination low-cost photogrammetry software package can produce high-definition tree structures low financial investment. Methods: Our study compared an established orbital flight strategy 2 novel close-range strategies for collecting digital imagery to interest (FOIs) We used 3 separate tests establish if these different resulted reliable, measurable, complete FOIs mature broadleaf Results: substantiated findings previous studies, that well-planned, automated render full from which accurate measurement dimensions be obtained. A involving clusters images angles whilst UAV stayed one location was trialled, resulting were typically incomplete quality. However, second hand-flown missions running parallel FOI yielded highly detailed, observations FOI’s surface measurements its could Conclusions: conclude there are substantial opportunities use undertake visual assessments parts trees, subject ease access feature right choice strategy.