Google Street View

When Google Street View was released just over a decade ago many of us likely took a peek at our homes, forgot about it, and have used it maybe a handful of times since. Today some might use it to confirm an address before punching it into their GPS, but it’s also an interesting and useful tool for our work in the watershed, particularly urban forestry. Over the last 10+ years, Google has re-photographed numerous streets, creating a photographic timeline. The timeline allows us to go back and see how current conditions compare with conditions from a decade ago.

Our Process

One of the interesting things we’ve been exploring is the growth of trees we planted or helped plant in the watershed, over the course of the last 15 years. With the timeline, we can go back to a series of dates and screen capture the view from that year. When we compile these individual images into animated GIFs it provides a moving timeline of that location. These GIFs not only show the difference between planting and today but also how the tree and surrounding area have evolved. Not only do the trees grow, but the amount of shade produced, or the number of cars parked nearby has changed as well, showing some of the benefits of trees. There’s nothing scientific about this process, and it’s something you can easily do at home.

Rowland Connector – Hybrid Elms (Planted 2005)

Rowland Connector 2005 – 2017

Wallace Ave. – Red Maple (Planted 2008)

Wallace St. 2007 – 2017

Biddle Ave. – Japanese Zelkova (Planted 2011)

Biddle 2007 – 2017

Center St. – American Elm (Planted 2011)

Center Street 2011-2016

Also useful in the stream – Nine Mile Run  from Commercial Ave (2007-2016)

Nine Mile Run (2007-2016)

And one of our Green Stormwater Infrastructure sites – Oakwood-Batavia (2012-2017)

Oakwood Batavia (2012-2017)

Urban Forestry Takeaway

These timelines show just how quickly trees can begin to provide significant benefits, as long as they are getting some care and attention. Planting a tree now isn’t just an investment for future generations, it’s an investment that will begin to show benefits in the near future.

If you’re interested in planting a tree in your yard, contact us about the Citizen Tree Project.

If you’d like to plant a street tree, contact Urban Forestry Coordinator, Jan Raether, about TreeVitalize grants.