Measure tree height with your smartphone
HeightCzech is a mobile application designed to measure tree height quickly and accurately using only a smartphone. It represents the idea of “no-cost forestry measurement” transforming an ordinary phone into a precise field instrument.
The app uses built-in IMU, gyroscope and camera sensors to estimate the vertical angle and distance to the tree top and base. By combining these measurements, it automatically calculates the total tree height without any external equipment or manual calculation.
HeightCzech is intended for foresters, students, researchers, and anyone interested in understanding forest structure. It can be used in training, forest inventory, or even quick verification of drone or LiDAR data in the field.
Key Features
- Direct height measurement using smartphone sensors (no external devices)
- Intuitive camera-based interface
- Optional data export for integration with GIS or remote sensing projects
Concept and Future
The app continues the philosophy of the iScanForest Apps project — bringing scientific tools to everyone through creativity and software innovation.
Future versions will include options for tree crown analysis, multiple measurements per plot, and cloud synchronization for educational and professional use.
🌲 How to Use HeightCzech
- Point to the base of the tree.
Make sure the displayed height is around 0 m — this means the app correctly recognizes ground level. - Check the reference height.
In the free version, the device height is fixed to 1.7 m above ground, so if your eyes are higher or lower, adjust the result accordingly. - Point to the top of the tree.
Slowly tilt your phone upward until you see the top of the crown in the center of the screen.
The displayed value is the tree height.
💡 Hints for Better Accuracy
- Keep the phone steady — the app uses a fusion of the accelerometer and gyroscope, and shaking can reduce precision.
- Stand on level ground so that when you aim at the base, it reads close to zero.
- Avoid measuring from slopes or large elevation differences.
- For tall trees, step back to a safe distance where you can see both the base and the top clearly.
