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ImageTree Corporation Launches Innovative Forest Inventory Platform
Venture-Backed Company inaugurates new production facility
with inventory for Forest Systems,
Recruits Industry Veteran Kurt Müller
MORGANTOWN, W. Va., June 21, 2006 – ImageTree Corporation™, the first company to effectively automate the forest inventory process, announced today the establishment of its production facility and corporate headquarters in Morgantown, WV. ImageTree kicks off production in the new facility with an inventory project for Forest Systems, a timber investment and management firm (TIMO) with working forests across the United States. ImageTree combines high resolution imagery, field forestry utilities and statistically valid sampling processes in an efficient, accurate platform that provides many advantages over traditional inventories.
“We’re excited to be launching our new production platform with a project for Forest Systems, a recognized leader in the forestry management industry,” said Mark Redlus, ImageTree Chief Executive Officer. “We appreciate this opportunity to prove out the unparalleled speed, accuracy and value of our systems.”
“Forest Systems is pleased to work with ImageTree to make technology advances practical and relevant for the business of forest inventory and management,” Frank Carroll, Chief of Forest Operations for Forest Systems said. “ImageTree has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in probabilistic sampling, fieldwork and imagery analysis that will enhance our understanding of our forest’s attributes.”
About ImageTree’s Integrated Inventory Platform
The ImageTree platform leverages advanced remote sensing technology, automated
feature extraction, ground-truthing systems and probabilistic sampling
methodologies to provide the most accurate, rapid and cost-effective
inventories available. Accurate inventories are essential in making competitive
decisions about timberland investments and divestitures, as well as for
managing ongoing silviculture and conservation initiatives.
Unlike traditional systems that rely on rough estimates across large tracts of land, ImageTree has developed a system that samples every visible tree on a forest tract. The trees measured in the field are then matched with the tree crown outlines. Software algorithms predict what the crowns actually represent in terms of tree count, species, diameters and heights—at a higher speed of delivery and a reduced overall cost.
Three specific and essential components make up the ImageTree platform:
- Remote sensing using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and either Color Infrared (CIR) or Hyperspectral Imaging.
- Ground-truthing by correlating specific aerial measurements with highly accurate field plots.
- Probabilistic sampling methodology that allows for enhanced precision for selected portions of forest.
Industry Veteran Kurt Müller Joins Management Team
ImageTree also announced the addition of Kurt Müller to the management
team as Director of Business Development. Kurt joins ImageTree from FORSight
Resources, a leading consulting firm in the industry. A 26-year forest
products industry veteran, Kurt was the recipient of the Weyerhaeuser President’s
Award for process improvement innovations in 1991. “What most drew
me to ImageTree is the Company’s ability to serve a wide range of
timber organizations–from government agencies, to forest owners and
managers to research groups,” said Müller. “This is likely
to be the most significant innovation in forest inventory since variable
plot sampling was introduced in the 1950’s.”
About ImageTree
ImageTree™ is a forest inventory provider for owners, managers and
stewards of working and protected forests who need the most accurate and
complete information on the forests they manage. Learn how Your Forest
Speaks Volumes™ by visiting ImageTree at http://www.imagetreecorp.com.
