Silviculture, forest planning, and wood procurement rely on accurate information about the structural characteristics of trees. This project focuses on developing laser scanning methods to 1) measure Scots pine architecture, 2) quantify their structural uniqueness, and 3) trace standing trees to sawlogs using “tree fingerprints”—biometric patterns that capture trees' unique branching arrangements. These methods enhance understanding of the relationships between tree architecture and wood properties, enabling improved assessment of wood quality and origin. The outcomes support sustainable use of natural resources. The project is conducted at the University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, within the ‘Forest-Human-Machine Interplay' Flagship of Science. It is further supported by collaborations with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), and Ghent University.

2025

2029