Did you know that an old tree in poor condition can become a silent risk in the heart of the city?
Today, IoT technology allows us to anticipate that danger. In this article, we explain how smart sensors, wirelessly connected, help care for these urban giants by detecting water stress and structural issues in time—ensuring public safety.
The importance of urban tree management
Urban trees play a vital role in temperature regulation, CO₂ capture, and overall social well-being. However, trees in poor health can pose a hidden threat to citizens. The use of smart sensors in environmental monitoring has marked a leap forward, enabling constant supervision and minimizing risks. This not only prevents accidents but also optimizes municipal resource allocation.
What is an IoT monitoring system for urban trees?
An IoT-based tree monitoring system gathers environmental and structural data through connected devices, transmits it wirelessly, and centralizes it for analysis. This method provides crucial insights without ongoing human intervention, reducing costs and improving accident prevention.
- Changes in trunk or branch diameter
- Structural tilt
- Soil moisture, temperature, and oxygen levels
In addition, when integrated with smart platforms, this data becomes predictive alerts that trigger action plans before real incidents occur.
Main IoT sensors for urban trees
Dendrometers
These sensors measure changes in trunk diameter, which may indicate water stress or internal degradation. This is key for early detection of water stress in urban trees.
Learn more about connected dendrometry at OdinS
Benefits:
- Early detection of water stress in trees
- Preventive pruning planning
- Risk reduction in pedestrian areas
Inclination sensors
These sensors detect dangerous angular deviations in branches or trunks, signaling the risk of falling. It’s a critical tool in IoT tree monitoring for high pedestrian traffic zones.
- Real-time alerts for hazardous movement
- Activation of preventive area closures
- Intervention before collapse
Soil sensors
These measure soil moisture, temperature, and oxygen around the root zone, helping to identify early water stress conditions in trees from below.
- Prevent anchoring loss
- Improve irrigation planning
- Enhance tree resilience
LoRaWAN Communications
LoRaWAN technology allows multiple sensors to connect across a park or urban area with low energy consumption and long-range coverage. Thanks to this, IoT-based tree monitoring becomes scalable and efficient.
Smart management platform
The sensor data is centralized in a dashboard that enables:
- Real-time visualization of key metrics
- Automatic alerts for anomalies
- Maintenance prioritization based on risk levels
Public safety at the core
Protecting the integrity of urban trees also means protecting people. Through IoT-based tree monitoring and early detection of water stress in trees, preventive action can be taken before unexpected branch or tree falls occur, especially in schools, parks, and busy avenues.
Case study
A public park with historical ficus trees receives heavy pedestrian traffic. IoT sensors connected to a LoRaWAN network are installed. An alert due to abnormal tilt triggers preventive pruning. Result: no injuries or damages. This strategy not only averted a potential incident but also increased community trust and became a model for replication in other green areas.
Conclusion
Applying IoT to urban trees, along with continuous monitoring and early detection of water stress, represents a crucial step toward safer, more sustainable, and resilient cities. It’s a smart investment with direct impact on public safety, plant health, and municipal operational efficiency.
At OdinS, we bring over 10 years of experience in IoT solutions for Smart Cities. Want to know what we can do for your municipality? Contact us today—our expert team will help you find a tailored solution to your urban challenges.
FAQs
How does IoT-based tree monitoring help prevent falls?
It detects structural changes or tilt before a collapse occurs.
Which sensors are essential for urban trees?
Dendrometers, inclination sensors, and soil sensors (moisture, temperature, oxygen).
Why use LoRaWAN?
Greater range, lower power consumption, and the ability to connect many sensors with less infrastructure.
