Comment:

Based on user-supplied information of location (city and state), and minimum and maximum tree height desired, the database is reduced to only tree species that are hardy to the hardiness zone of the location and that are larger than the minimum tree height and smaller than the maximum tree height specified (based on median tree height at maturity). Species are noted as to the reliability of the hardiness zone data with increasing number of asterisks indicating an increasing degree of uncertainty (see Hardiness Zone above). The user is also asked to rate the importance of each tree function on a scale of 0 (not important) to 10 (very important). The program weights the standardized functional values by the corresponding user-supplied value, sums the weighted values for all functions, and standardizes the sum values on a range between 0 (minimum value) and 100 (maximum values). The program then provides output of species recommendations in 10% groupings. These groupings are to be used to make decisions on the most appropriate species for an area given the desired tree functions. Actual decisions on what trees to plant in the area need to incorporate local knowledge of species and conditions to ensure that the proper species is selected to ensure long-term survival, health, and environmental services.