When AI Plants Trees: Building a Forest in the Cloud

If a tree falls in the forest and AI is watching, does it save the planet? With Tree-D Fusion, the answer might be yes.

The groundbreaking Tree-D Fusion system is transforming urban forest management by combining generative AI and decades of forestry science to create 3D models of over 600,000 trees across North America.

Developed by MIT CSAIL, Google, and Purdue University, this innovation isn’t just about mapping trees: it’s about predicting their growth, impact, and role in mitigating climate change. From anticipating power-line interference to designing cooling urban canopies, Tree-D Fusion equips cities with tools to plan greener, smarter futures.

By integrating street-view data with AI, the system generates detailed models of individual trees, including typically hidden features like shaded branches. These insights have the potential to revolutionize urban forestry, transforming reactive maintenance into proactive climate strategy.

Could digital forests be the solution to climate resilience, or is this just the beginning of a new green revolution? What role should AI play in designing our cities of tomorrow?

Read the full article on MIT News.

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