Forestry LiDAR Services

At Heritage Geospatial, we provide advanced drone-based LiDAR mapping services tailored specifically to the forestry industry. Our mission is to equip landowners, forestry consultants, and timber companies with the high-resolution data they need to make informed decisions about harvest planning, biomass estimation, reforestation, and long-term land management.

Using state-of-the-art LiDAR sensors mounted on UAV platforms, we generate precise 3D models of forested landscapes — capturing both the canopy and the ground surface below dense vegetation. Unlike traditional aerial surveys, our drone LiDAR offers greater spatial resolution, faster deployment, and more affordable coverage for small to mid-sized properties.

What We Offer

✔️ High-Resolution Terrain Modeling (DTM & DSM)
We deliver bare-earth terrain models (DTMs) and surface models (DSMs) accurate down to sub-meter levels — essential for planning logging roads, evaluating erosion risks, or modeling hydrology.

✔️ Canopy Height and Structure Analysis
Using point cloud data, we analyze canopy height, crown density, and vertical structure across your land. This supports growth modeling, carbon estimates, and habitat assessments.

✔️ Biomass Estimation & Forest Inventory Support
Our LiDAR datasets help estimate above-ground biomass and tree volume, serving as a baseline or supplement to traditional inventory methods.

✔️ Slope and Aspect Mapping
Our deliverables include terrain slope and aspect visualizations to help guide harvest unit planning, fire mitigation strategies, and equipment logistics.

✔️ Multi-Layer GIS-Ready Deliverables
We provide ready-to-use files for GIS platforms: .las point clouds, .tiff raster models, shapefiles, contour lines, and summary reports.

✔️ Nationwide Mobile Deployment
We travel to jobs across the U.S. — from Pacific Northwest timberland to Southeastern pine plantations — with field-tested SOPs and FAA Part 107 certification.

Return on Investment for Forestry Clients

Our clients see measurable ROI in several key areas:

Improved Harvest Planning: Avoid costly equipment damage or inefficient cutting due to poor terrain visibility

Reduced Operational Costs: Fewer on-site survey hours and better pre-planning reduces fuel, labor, and guesswork

Increased Revenue: Accurate volume and canopy analysis lead to better pricing, higher yields, and optimized cut blocks.

Regulatory Compliance: Produce high-quality documentation for reforestation, conservation, or habitat reporting requirements.

Better Risk Management: Identify erosion-prone areas, drainage issues, and slope hazards before they become costly problems.

Deliverables Overview

Digital Terrain Model (DTM) GeoTIFF: Road building, erosion modeling

Digital Surface Model (DSM) GeoTIFF: Canopy structure, equipment logistics

Point Cloud (.las) 3D Data Visualization, volumetrics, growth modeling

Canopy Height Model (CHM)Raster/contours: Timber valuation, ecological analysis

Slope & Aspect Maps Raster/Shapefile: Harvest unit planning

Site Report PDF Summary: Executive insights for landowners/stakeholders

Typical Project Scope

Project Size: 100–2,000+ acres
Flight Time: 1–3 days on site (depending on weather/terrain)
Delivery Time: 5–10 business days from field completion
Pricing: Starting at $3,500; average projects range from $7,000–$15,000+ depending on acreage, location, and deliverables

Payment: 50% deposit upfront; final 50% upon deliverables

Why Choose Heritage Geospatial?

Forestry-specific expertise — Not just drone pilots, but forestry-aware data specialists

Nationwide mobility — We come to you, anywhere in the U.S.

Scientific-grade outputs — Our workflows meet academic and commercial accuracy standards

Personalized support — We tailor deliverables to your forest’s needs, not a generic template

Schedule a Free Project Review

Have a site in mind? Let's assess it together. Whether you're preparing a harvest, updating a management plan, or exploring reforestation grants, we’ll show you exactly how LiDAR can maximize value and reduce uncertainty across your property.