Israel Launches Digital Database for Urban Trees

Israel has established a digital database for its urban trees, treating them as vital city infrastructure rather than mere decoration. Each tree is assigned a unique identifier, known as a "mizae'tz," which allows specialists to track its location, species, condition, and care history, including planting, pruning, diseases, and inspections.

The "Digital Urban Forest" project aims to centralize this data. Currently, the system registers approximately 2.95 million trees on streets and public grounds across the country.

Tel Aviv is actively implementing the system, viewing its 280,000 trees, 170,000 of which are in public spaces, as a unified entity. The city plans to plant an additional 100,000 trees over the next decade, noting that tree canopies can reduce ambient temperatures by about 4 degrees Celsius on hot days.

The database also serves economic purposes. Mature trees in Israel can be valued at thousands or tens of thousands of shekels. This digital record assists municipalities in making informed decisions during construction, planning parking areas, and undertaking major engineering projects.