# vTree — user reviews > 52 indexed App Store user reviews of vTree by John Peterson, rated 3.30/5 from 46 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vtree/id576191197/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vtree/id576191197.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 15 · 4★ 7 · 3★ 9 · 2★ 5 · 1★ 10 ## Newest reviews (16 of 52) ### 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. ### 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). ### 2/5 — Needs work - a lot *2018-04-15, version 2.1.9* I installed the app and started with only downloading the trees the app thought was in my area... completely useless. The area specific download omitted many common trees I can see out my windows, much less what I would find with the walk in the woods. Black walnut, sassafras, red bud, Osage orange, hickory, black locust, honey locust, paw paw....etc...were all missing from the location/area specific download. Now doing the complete download to see if it is any more complete. ### 4/5 — Needs updating to to work put bugs *2018-02-11, version 2.1.9* The last update for my iPhone has caused a number of issues with the app. Search locations brings back incomplete results. For example, using Texas as a search location, species indicated in that state only shows about half. Additionally, pictures will not display when individual species are selected. The only way to get them to appear is by clicking on the “next” or “previous” icons. ### 2/5 — Photos do not load *2017-09-28, version 2.1.9* Would be a very helpful app if the photos loaded. ### 3/5 — Fix *2017-08-02, version 2.1.9* I would give this a 5-star rating.. please fix the photos to where they WILL show. On some trees, the pictures will absolutely not show. Please fix this as I use this app sometimes for work.. ### 2/5 — Fairly good *2017-06-26, version 2.1.9* Nice, usable, but the photos are moderate resolution. So the fine detail that you crave is not there. I downloaded the entire package. I have a bird app and the photos in it are brilliant. Update, after multiple uses I find the application tedious and inaccurate failing to ID even the most common trees in my location. ### 2/5 — Photos do not load *2017-06-12, version 2.1.9* What you really need doesn't load ### 1/5 — Good Concept, but.... *2016-03-12, version 2.1.8* I don't know if "crash" is the correct description as what actually happens is the "page" you are on suddenly disappears into the background reverting back to the menu page. Attempting to use "Location by GPS" during set-up for download of data files yields no response, so I was forced to enter the address. After this I was able to use the GPS mode for this time the App asked to allow use of the feature when using the App. They just need to put that code global to the program. Because it was winter and was in the house and the tree not readily visible going through the questions wasn't optimal, however, there were no questions regarding the roots, eg., surface or below service, vertical protuberances (such as you see with Cypress), etc. I actually figured out my tree was a Red Bald Cypress in Maryland. I came to this conclusion by searching the web for wetland trees, then going to images and found a pic of the trunk with the exact vertical growths from the roots that looked exactly like our tree. Out of curiosity I went back to the App and in its search window started typing "Cyp" when I pressed "p" the screen disappeared! Double tapping my 'home' key on my iphone 6 plus iOS version 9.2.1 showed the App's Main Menu screen was still in memory. I tried the same thing again and got the exact same result. I tried another search attempting to use the scientific name "taxodium distichum" but when I typed the "o" the screen did the same thing! Maybe the program is using absolute elevations as opposed to a range. The elevation at my house is 511 ft, where the tree is next to my pond it's probably 50 ft lower. I deleted the App it needs more work. ### 1/5 — Crashing *2015-12-26, version 2.1.8* Crashes any time you use the search function, and often when using the identification function. Great idea for an app, hopefully future updates fix the crashes. ### 1/5 — Crashes every search *2015-12-16, version 2.1.8* OMG, searching repeatedly crashes the app. Sad. ### 2/5 — Almost helpful *2015-10-23, version 1.2* As Thomas Edison once said, "I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won't work." This app is one of those ways. As a UVA student, I'm not surprised this app is completely useless. However, I think there is room for improvement. After all, as Albert Einstein once said, "You never fail until you stop trying". Good luck. ### 1/5 — Photo ID *2015-10-11, version 1.2* It would be great if this app could ID a plant from a photo I have taken of the plant on my iPhone or iPad. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 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. ### 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. ### 1/5 — No photos *2018-05-05, version 2.1.9* If the photos would open it would be a great app. ### 1/5 — No Pictures *2016-11-16, version 2.1.9* This would be a very helpful app if the pictures for each tree and map were present. But even using a home computer with Comcast high-speed as well as iPhone, none of the related photos ever load. ### 1/5 — Crashes even with a excellent connection *2016-09-27, version 2.1.8* Not sure what happen Virginia Tech? Figured a college with all those computer savvy kids would have the number one app for tree id... I give zero point zero stars. ### 1/5 — Fix this app *2016-09-25, version 2.1.8* Great tool but it crashes constantly! ### 1/5 — Worthless *2016-08-21, version 2.1.8* Crashes constantly. User unfriendly. ### 1/5 — Crashfest 2016 *2016-05-08, version 2.1.8* Using the search function causes the app to crash. Only useful if you want to manually scroll through the list of trees. ### 1/5 — Crashing *2016-04-05, version 2.1.8* When I hit the "identify trees" button it crashes and shuts down. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 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. ### 5/5 — Amazing *2017-11-06, version 2.1.9* Truly the best tree identification app out there. Thanks! ### 5/5 — Brilliant! *2017-01-28, version 2.1.9* Simple to use! Clearly the previous reviewer didn't read the BASIC instructions- you must download the additional data fact sheets to view the photos for each species, this is designed to not burden your phone with data. I simply put in the address of our new property and the local species were presented with fantastic photos and descriptions. Any outdoors person would benefit from this app. Thank you! ### 5/5 — Great app *2016-01-16, version 2.1.8* The app is a great idea for tree Idenification. Only problem is that the app crashes when connection is poor. ### 5/5 — Botanist *2015-10-04, version 1.2* I find this app to be highly informative for species of trees and shrubs occurring in my region (Oregon). I love how the app identifies my location and gives me an altitude as well. I'm very impressed and reference this app from time to time. Other reviews need to be updated as fact sheets are available for download and I have not experienced any glitches while using the app. ### 5/5 — It really is an amazing app! *2015-01-22, version 1.2* This is the best tree app I've ever seen I'd recommend downloading it! ### 5/5 — Tree Care *2014-11-10, version 1.2* Excellent ### 5/5 — Forester *2014-08-08, version 1.2* Great app, works well and very comprehensive! ### 5/5 — Va Tech dendro rules *2013-05-12, version 1.1.3* Whoever does all the work at va tech deserves major props. Easily the best dendrology app, rivals the outstanding va tech dendrology website. ### 5/5 — Great app *2013-03-24, version 1.1.3* Had no trouble downloading - there are a lot of very hi quality photos which show great detail when zoomed in. Very good tree ID set up, short informative text. Only complaint I have is that urban trees are missing - such as Sophora japonica, etc. However the app does include shrubs and vines. I highly recommend the app. --- *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.*