From Estimates to Evidence

Aggie the Intern
Jun 29
3 min read

COMMERCIAL FORESTRY · NAKURU, KENYA

Tree-Level Data for Commercial Forestry Plantations in Kenya

■ Nakuru, Kenya ✦ Tree Mapping & Biomass Analysis

AT A GLANCE

Acre Insights carried out a drone-based assessment of two commercial forest plantations in Nakuru, Kenya. Across 2,583 individual trees, the survey produced GPS-referenced tree maps, height profiles, crown measurements, DBH estimates, and biomass calculations , replacing rough estimates with a verified, tree-level dataset ready for plantation management, reporting, and carbon accounting.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

RONGAI and NGATA are commercial forest plantations in Nakuru, Kenya. As the plantations matured, the need for a structured, verifiable record of stocking levels, tree health and biomass grew, but manual field surveys at this scale are slow, costly and difficult to repeat consistently.

THE CHALLENGE

Before the Acre Insights assessment, both plantations were operating without verified spatial or biometric records:

No block structure, without defined spatial zones, it was impossible to report data by area or compare performance across different parts of each site.
Tree counts were estimates, unverified stocking data weakened reporting to funders, commercial partners and carbon verifiers.
No individual tree records, without GPS-referenced tree data, health monitoring, survival rates and biomass could not be tracked over time.

WHAT ACRE INSIGHTS DELIVERED

1 Block structure design

As no predefined spatial blocks existed, Acre Insights created a structured block grid across both sites , giving each plantation a clear spatial framework for analysis, reporting and future monitoring.

2 Individual tree detection and GPS mapping

Every tree across both plantations was detected and assigned a GPS position (X, Y, Z coordinates). The result: 1,061 trees mapped across RONGAI and 1,522 across NGATA , a total of 2,583 individually referenced trees, not an estimate.

3 Tree height measurement

LiDAR data produced an accurate height value for each individual tree , creating a height profile across the plantation that supports age-class analysis, yield forecasting and identification of underperforming areas.

4 Crown diameter, area and volume analysis

For each tree, the assessment measured crown diameter in both the north-south and east-west axis, calculated crown area (m²) and estimated crown volume (m³). This data supports canopy health assessment and competition analysis across each block.

5 DBH estimation and trunk volume calculation

Average DBH was estimated for each tree using calibrated in-field measurements. Trunk volume was then calculated using a cone model (V = πr²h/3), giving a reliable per-tree volume estimate without the cost of a full ground-based inventory.

6 Above-ground biomass estimation

Biomass (tonnes) was calculated per tree by applying a species-specific nominal constant to the trunk volume estimate. This provides a site-level above-ground biomass figure that can feed directly into carbon stock reporting or certification workflows.

7 Structured data outputs and interactive map

All data is delivered as structured CSV files organised by block, and viewable through an interactive Atlas map that lets the operations team explore individual tree data spatially across both sites. A 20-minute onboarding session for the team to get immediate value from the platform.

WHAT CHANGED

2,583 trees on record , individually mapped, GPS-referenced and organised into a spatial block structure for the first time.
Verified biometric data , height, crown dimensions, DBH, trunk volume and biomass per tree, not dependent on manual estimation.
Carbon-ready biomass figures , above-ground biomass estimates are available at tree and block level, ready to feed into carbon stock reporting.
A repeatable monitoring baseline , each subsequent monitoring visit can be compared against this dataset, tracking survival, growth and biomass accumulation over time.

“For the first time, there are real numbers behind the story , not just how many trees, but how tall they are, how much canopy they carry, and what they weigh.”

WHY IT MATTERS

Commercial plantation forestry increasingly demands verified data , for financing, carbon certification, regulatory compliance and stakeholder reporting. Yet for many operators, producing that data at scale remains too costly or too technical to do consistently.

The RONGAI and NGATA assessment shows what becomes possible when drone-based LiDAR replaces manual field surveys. A single flight produces not just a tree count, but a full biometric record of every tree on site , one that grows more valuable with each monitoring cycle.

Managing a forest plantation or carbon project?

We build tree-level monitoring workflows that fit your site and reporting needs.

Reach out to start a conversation.

Get in touch → sales@acre-insights.com