What is LiDAR Technology?
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technology that uses laser pulses to measure distances to the Earth's surface. When mounted on drones, LiDAR systems can penetrate forest canopies and create incredibly detailed three-dimensional maps of terrain and vegetation structure.
At Cedrick Logging, we utilize the latest drone-mounted LiDAR systems capable of capturing over 1 million data points per second. This unprecedented level of detail allows us to identify individual trees, measure their heights and diameters, assess timber volume, and plan optimal harvest routes—all before setting foot on your property.
How Drone Mapping Works
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1
Flight Planning
Our certified drone pilots create optimized flight paths based on your property boundaries, terrain features, and specific survey requirements.
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2
Data Acquisition
Drones equipped with LiDAR sensors fly automated missions, capturing millions of laser returns that penetrate the forest canopy to map both vegetation and ground surface.
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3
Point Cloud Processing
Raw LiDAR data is processed into classified point clouds, separating ground, understory, and canopy layers for detailed analysis.
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4
Forest Inventory Generation
Advanced algorithms identify individual trees, estimate heights, diameters, and species, generating comprehensive forest inventory reports.
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5
Deliverables & Integration
Final products include digital elevation models, canopy height models, timber volume estimates, and GIS-ready datasets compatible with forestry management software.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Horizontal Accuracy | ±5 cm (2 inches) |
| Vertical Accuracy | ±3 cm (1.2 inches) |
| Point Density | 100+ points per m² |
| Canopy Penetration | Up to 95% in deciduous forests |
| Coverage Rate | 200-500 acres per day |
| Tree Detection Rate | >95% for trees >6" DBH |
| Height Measurement Accuracy | ±0.5 meters |
Case Study: Vermont Mixed Hardwood
500-Acre Mixed Hardwood Tract
A Vermont landowner with a 500-acre mixed hardwood tract had relied on traditional cruise estimates for decades. Our LiDAR survey revealed 23% more merchantable timber than previous estimates, including a previously unmapped 40-acre section of valuable black walnut.
GIS Mapping ROI Calculator
Frequently Asked Questions
Flight time depends on property size and terrain. Most surveys of 100-500 acres can be completed in 1-2 days of flight time. Data processing and report generation typically takes an additional 1-2 weeks.
LiDAR works in most weather conditions except heavy rain, fog, or high winds (>20 mph). Unlike traditional aerial photography, LiDAR can even operate in cloudy conditions since it uses active laser sensing rather than sunlight.
Yes! LiDAR excels at penetrating dense forest canopy. In deciduous forests during leaf-on conditions, we typically achieve 70-80% ground penetration. During leaf-off seasons, this can exceed 95%. Conifer forests typically see 60-70% penetration.
We deliver data in industry-standard formats including LAS/LAZ (point clouds), GeoTIFF (raster products), Shapefile/GeoPackage (vector features), and KMZ for Google Earth visualization. All datasets are compatible with major forestry software including ESRI ArcGIS, QGIS, and ForestView.
All our pilots hold FAA Part 107 certifications. For operations requiring airspace authorization (near airports, etc.), we obtain necessary waivers in advance. We handle all regulatory compliance—you just need to provide property access.