May 11, 2023

How to document habitat trees with WoodsApp

Habitat trees, also referred to as biotope trees, encompass both living and deceased trees that remain upright. The defining characteristic is that they possess at least one microhabitat, which represents a confined habitat on a small scale. These microhabitats are discernible as well-defined structures on the tree, such as cavities or mushroom fruiting bodies. A diverse range of organisms relies on these microhabitats, serving as their dwelling for at least a portion of their lives. Animals, plants, lichens, and fungi all establish their habitats on these habitat trees.

The criteria for climate-adapted forest management

Within the “Climate-Adapted Forest Management” funding program initiated by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, habitat trees are identified as one of the twelve criteria. Forest owners should be aware that habitat trees and potential habitat tree candidates need to be visibly marked, and the method of marking is left to the discretion of the forest owner. It is advisable to use weather-resistant paints or ribbons for optimal visibility. Additionally, recording the location of habitat trees on a map is recommended to facilitate their identification. Forest owners can conveniently adhere to this recommendation by utilizing the WoodsApp, which provides a reliable tool for such purposes.

How do I document habitat trees using WoodsApp?

Using the mobile app, go to the habitat tree within your forest and document its exact location with accompanying notes if needed directly in the app. Simply select a category, such as “Conservation,” and provide a description (e.g., Habitat tree #1). You can attach up to 5 photos to your note, whether they are newly captured or sourced from the media library of your mobile device. With these features, you can easily create and save the record of the tree and its exact location on the map for later use.


By following these steps, you can efficiently record and retrieve information about your habitat tree using WoodsApp.

  1. Visit the physical location of your habitat tree in the forest.
  2. Open the WoodsApp on your mobile device to access the map view.
  3. Tap the GPS button on the app interface, which will display your current location on the map.
  4. Locate and tap the orange pencil icon situated at the bottom right corner of the screen.
  5. Select a suitable shape for marking the habitat tree, preferably the dot shape.
  6. Set the precise location of your habitat tree by tapping on the crosshairs. You can adjust the map view by moving and zooming until you find the exact position. Confirm the chosen location by tapping the orange tick symbol.
  7. Choose a category for the habitat tree. Opt for the “Ecological site” option as it aligns well with habitat trees.
  8. Optionally, enter a description for the habitat tree. It is recommended to provide some text, such as “Habitat tree no. 1.”
  9. Add up to five photos of your tagged habitat tree. You can capture new photos using the app’s camera feature or select existing photos from your phone’s library.
  10. Once you have completed these steps, your habitat tree is thoroughly documented and can be easily accessed and referenced at any time.

By the way, if you are a forest owner and there is a forestry organisation nearby your parcel that already uses WoodsApp, you can find them in the app. Once connected with the organisation, you will have the option to share your habitat tree notes with them!

If you need more information, you can access additional details regarding habitat trees and the funding program here (in German):


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