# vTree > North American woody plant identification guide with expert support. (iPhone/iPad app by John Peterson.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vtree/id576191197 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [John Peterson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1175417672) - Category: Reference, Education - Price: Free - Rating: 3.30/5 from 46 App Store ratings · 52 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 14.0 · 10 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2013-02-13 - Data updated: 2026-07-05 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vtree/id576191197/reviews.md ## What is vTree? Virginia Tech Tree Identification brings the award winning Virginia Tech digital dendrology material to your iPhone. It contains fact sheets for 969 woody plants from all over North America with an in-depth description, range map and thousands of color images of leaves, flowers, fruit, twigs, bark and form. Users can narrow the species list for any location in North America using the phone's GPS or any entered address or zip code. Basically the application can become "The Woody Plants of Where You Are Standing." For example, it can become "The Woody Plants of Southwestern Oregon," "The Woody Plants of Central Park," or "The Woody Plants of 37.108 lat., -80.452 long., elevation 2118." Users can further narrow the species list by answering a series of very simple tree attribute questions such as where the plant is growing, leaf shape, leaf arrangement, flower color or fruit type. The species list can also be narrowed by typing a keyword such as oak, Abies, red or palm. For example, if "oak" is typed, only oaks found in the defined area will be listed. A feature also allows you to send any tree related question to "Dr. Dendro," a tree expert in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation at Virginia Tech. You can send a tree description or pictures of your plant and experts will help with identification. KEY FEATURES •969 woody plants from all over North America. •Over 6,400 color photographs of leaves, flowers, fruit, twig, bark, form, and range map for each species. •In depth description of all plant parts. •Narrows species list based on your location and elevation using the device's GPS or user entered location. •Search for species by a key word, e.g. maple. •Identify species by answering a series of simple questions. A picture is displayed showing what is being asked. •Navigate between species with a push of a button. •Send a tree question to "Dr. Dendro," a tree expert at Virginia Tech. VIRGINIA TECH TREE IDENTIFICATION DIGITAL MATERIAL Visit our web sites at: http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu Woody Plants in North America, 2012, Kendall/Hunt Publishing is a multimedia tutorial on DVD covering 920 woody plants with over 23,000 color photographs of leaves (summer and fall), flowers, fruits, twigs, bark and form for each plant. The software displays multiple images of all plant parts so user can develop a "feel" for normal field variation. A customizable self-quizzing section allows users to evaluate their progress in plant identification. For more features on this software, visit: http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/wpina.htm NOTES The 650 MB database of tree photographs and text is downloaded from our server. We recommend you install Virginia Tech Tree Identification using a fast WIFI connection. A cellular connection will generally be too slow. Text and photography by John R. Seiler, John A. Peterson Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Virginia Tech and Ed Jensen, Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University. ## Key features - 969 North American woody plants - Thousands of color images - Location-based species filtering - Search by keyword - Identify via attribute questions - Expert identification help ## Recent user reviews (10 of 52) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vtree/id576191197/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Frustrated. *2023-09-20, version 3.2.1* I cannot get past the eternally spinning “loading species”. Does that for 20 seconds and then crashes. ### 1/5 — Bugs *2023-01-22, version 3.2.1* Won’t Open. No matter how many times I try reinstalling it. No matter which option I pick it downloads to 123% (yes 123% complete) then freezes. ### 3/5 — Won’t Open Jan 2021 *2021-01-29, version 3.2.1* Just downloaded and tried to open. It is stuck “downloading species”. Tried a dozen times and finally deleted the app and re-installed it from App Store. Same thing. After third try on second install it finally opened. Note that the hang was prior to choosing which database to install. ### 3/5 — Good, But Limited *2020-07-05, version 3.2.1* This app used to function well in my experience, but lately is not helpful. I just asked it for Magnolia species in my area and it offered only one. (I’ve asked it to DL all species, so either it’s refusing to do so or the complete list is lacking. Maybe it’s the only species truly native to my zip code, but I’ve seen other Magnolia species growing in the woods 90 minutes away in my state. It seems reasonable that I’d want to ID it while hiking there. I realize it’s a free app, so note I’d pay for it if it were more reliable. ### 5/5 — Great tree ID app *2020-05-30, version 3.2.1* This is the best app for people who know a little about trees and don’t want to use the photo driven apps. ### 1/5 — Crashes when I try to open the app *2019-05-26, version 3.0.9* Downloaded and installed on iPhone 7+ with latest iOS software. Crashes when i try to open the app. ### 2/5 — Down loading *2019-05-22, version 3.0.9* May 23, 2019 You still have a down problem. Will only take me back to apps store. ### 3/5 — What changed? *2018-09-06, version 3.0.8* Essential app. Expect it to be difficult to identify forest plants without skill, but using this app can build that skill and it remains essential for anyone who is trying to identify thousands of species reliably all over the United States What changed? I get crashes when updating location off grid. Still seeing missing photos. Test bed: Moto G5 Android with no connection. ### 3/5 — Good but Not What I Hoped For *2018-07-25, version 3.0.8* I’ve been using VTree for almost a year, and honestly still have not decided if I like it or not. The problem is that I never know in advance if it will help ID a tree or give me nonsense (this is with the full database installed). I’ve often ended up standing beneath a tree and manually working my way through the photos of likely candidates to figure out the species after carefully entering as much data as I could into the search fields and getting either nothing or a response I know is wrong (e.g., the stand of Liriodendron behind my house repeatedly being identified as Oak, Ash, or other species, apparently depending on the app’s mood of the moment). ### 1/5 — No photos *2018-05-05, version 2.1.9* If the photos would open it would be a great app. ## Frequently asked questions about vTree ### What does the Virginia Tech Tree Identification app do? This app provides a comprehensive guide to identifying 969 woody plants found throughout North America. It includes detailed fact sheets, range maps, and thousands of high-quality images of various plant parts like leaves, flowers, and bark. Users can narrow down potential species based on their current location or by answering specific attribute questions. ### How does the app help identify trees? The app offers multiple identification methods. You can use your phone's GPS or enter a location to see plants native to that area. Additionally, you can answer a series of simple questions about the plant's characteristics, such as leaf shape or flower color, to filter the species list. Keyword searches are also supported. ### Is there a cost to use this app? Based on the provided information, this application is a paid app. The description does not mention any in-app purchases or subscription models, indicating a one-time purchase for access to all features and content. ### What kind of expert help is available? The app features a unique service where users can send tree-related questions to "Dr. Dendro," an expert from Virginia Tech's Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation. You can submit descriptions or pictures of a plant, and experts will assist with identification. ### What are the system requirements for this app? The app requires a significant download of approximately 650 MB for its database of images and text. It is highly recommended to use a fast Wi-Fi connection for installation, as a cellular connection may be too slow for the download process. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 3.3.1 — 2024-11-25 This update allows a user to submit multiple images when contacting Dr. Dendro. ### 3.2.1 — 2020-03-18 Improved species interview. ### 3.0.9 — 2018-10-13 Fixed bug causing download of images to fail. ### 3.0.8 — 2018-07-16 VTree has an updated layout and improved user interface. New woody plant species have also been added. ### 2.1.9 — 2016-10-30 Bug fixes. ## Apps similar to vTree | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Raptor ID](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/raptor-id/id1033944000) | 4.5 (44) | Free | Reference | | [Sibley Birds 2nd Edition](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sibley-birds-2nd-edition/id1236011411) | 4.9 (2,446) | $19.99 | Reference | ## Related topics [vtree](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/vtree) · [vtree id](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/vtree-id) · [virginia tech tree id](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/virginia-tech-tree-id) · [arnold arboretum](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/arnold-arboretum) · [need for trees](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/need-for-trees) · [bartlett arborist supply](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bartlett-arborist-supply) · [15tree](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/15tree) · [i hate trees](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/i-hate-trees) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-05.*