Waterford City and County National Tree Map

NATIONAL TREE MAP™ (NTM™) provides a unique, comprehensive database for 2020 of location, height and canopy/crown extents for every single tree in Waterford City and County.

On 22nd April 2020, an aerial survey recorded Seven Million Seven Hundred and Forty Three Thousand Five Hundred and Sixty Three (7,743,563) Trees, with a maximum height greater than three metres, within Waterford City and County Councils administrative boundary.

The map below displays the locations of trees around the City and County. You can expand the map, and then drag and pan, by clicking / tapping on the map and dragging your mouse or finger. To view the height of a tree, its unique id, and its canopy area, tap on the tree symbol.

• NTM_ID this is unique identification code for each tree in the dataset. It contains Ordnance Survey Ireland 1km tile name and X and Y coordinates
• Max Height is the maximum height detected in the tree canopy polygon.
• Mean Height is the average height calculated for the three recorded canopies; height point, idealised crown, and tree polygon.
• Standard Deviation value close to 1 and less indicates that height variation in the trees canopy polygon is small, higher the Standard Deviation value the bigger the difference between maximum and average height.
• Area of the trees Canopy in meters squared.

The largest tree canopy in the City and County was recorded in Killhaly East, Cappoquin, near the Blackwater River, with an area totalling 900 square metres.

The map below displays trees by the size of the Canopy Area in metres squared. The larger the circle the larger the Canopy. You can expand the map, and then drag and pan, by clicking / tapping on the map and dragging your mouse or finger. To view the height of a tree, its unique id, and its canopy area tap on the yellow outline of the tree.

The tallest tree in the City and County was recorded on the Curraghmore Estate, Portlaw. Its mean height is 42.84 metres.

The map below displays trees by the size of the Canopy Area in metres squared and by its Mean Height in metres. The larger the circle the larger the canopy and the darker the shade of green the taller the tree. You can expand the map, and then drag and pan, by clicking / tapping on the map and dragging your mouse or finger. To view the height of a tree, its unique id, and its canopy area tap on the tree circle.

Trees not only improve our psychological health when we are near them, but they also contribute to keeping our bodies healthy! Combatting air pollution, trees absorb air-borne pollutants. These pollutants are known to exacerbate respiratory and heart conditions or carry carcinogens.

Spending time around trees and looking at trees also reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and improves mood!  Numerous studies have shown that simply sitting looking at trees reduce blood pressure as well as the stress-related hormones cortisol and adrenaline.

NTM data in the form of height points, idealised crowns, and tree polygons are helping to inform the Draft Waterford City and County Development Plan 2022-2028.

The Forward Planning Section, in conjunction with the Heritage Officer, are using this data to review Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and Trees of Special Amenity Value datasets to help ensure we continue to enjoy the benefits of trees in Waterford City and County, and ensure that proper provision is made for their protection and management in to the future. 

The draft plan will seek to protect and enhance biodiversity across the County. The biodiversity of Waterford is not just contained within specifically Designated Areas but is found in areas that include woodlands, trees, hedgerows, private gardens as well as our rivers, wetlands, semi natural grasslands, streams and other urban green spaces. 

This patch work of woodland, hedgerows and trees across the County contributes to our Green Infrastructure (GI) and is a crucial component in building resilient communities, capable of adapting to the consequences of climate change. Trees provide carbon capture and slow water flows while improving air quality. GI also enhances opportunities for tourism, and encourages new businesses to invest, helping the economy of the County.

NTM data will also be used in the development of the Council's Tree Management Policy and to inform aspects of the Council's forthcoming Climate Action Plan, and the proposed Decarbonising Zone plans for Waterford City.

To find out more about National Tree Map and its uses  click here