Purdue Tree Doctor

Name: Purdue Tree Doctor
Author: Purdue University

Purdue University

DOCUMENTED

Published in academic literature

For:General Public & EnthusiastsIndustry Professionals

Free

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App Summary

The Purdue Tree Doctor app is a reference tool for landscape professionals and homeowners to identify and manage tree problems by matching symptoms to a photo library of over 175 issues. The associated research emphasizes that effective pest management is dependent upon an accurate diagnosis, which the app is designed to provide to users at their moment of learning need. The authors conclude that by providing expert-backed diagnostic and management solutions in the field, the app can help improve the care of trees in urban landscapes.

App Screenshots

Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

Developed by Purdue University experts, the Purdue Tree Doctor facilitates the identification of tree health issues through a visual diagnostic process. The system allows users to match observed plant damage against an integrated library of over 1,000 high-resolution images. The interface then provides detailed descriptions of the pathology and expert-authored management recommendations for over 175 distinct problems. The knowledge base is searchable by tree species or by specific pest, enabling targeted problem-solving in the field.

Evidence & Research Context

The associated research describes the app's development as a tool to support accurate diagnosis, a critical prerequisite for effective pest management in urban landscapes.
The system was designed by university experts to deliver diagnostic and management solutions for both landscape professionals and homeowners.
It is engineered as a just-in-time learning resource, providing information at the user's moment of need directly in a field setting.

Intended Use & Scope

This app is designed as a field-based diagnostic reference for landscape professionals, arborists, and garden center staff, as well as the general public. Its primary utility is the rapid identification of common tree afflictions and access to management guidance. The content is geographically focused on the Midwestern and Eastern United States and does not replace laboratory analysis for definitive diagnoses.

Studies & Publications

1 publication

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

Development/Design Paper

Caught with Your Plants Down? There's an App for That!

Beckerman et al. (2013) · Journal of Extension

Describes the research-driven development of this app

With or without pesticides, effective management of pests of trees in urban landscapes depends upon an accurate diagnosis. We describe how the Purdue Tree Doctor I-phone app was developed for use by homeowners and landscape professionals to diagnose tree problems and identify solutions. We then discuss how this resident smartphone app can be used in users' moment of learning need to provide diagnostic and management solutions to plant health problems.

In the Media

Purdue Plant Doctor Website Equips Homeowners and Professionals to Manage Pests

Purdue University launched the Purdue Plant Doctor website to help growers identify and manage insect pests and diseases of trees, shrubs, and flowers, using a mobile-ready platform that navigates like a smartphone app. Purdue entomologist Cliff Sadof explained, "We created a series of short (5 to 7 min.) YouTube videos to help you learn or just brush up your plant diagnostic skills." The platform includes instructional videos available in both English and Spanish that guide users through real landscape diagnostics and pest management strategies.

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Purdue Tree Doctor app offered for Android users

Purdue University researchers Janna Beckerman and Cliff Sadof developed Purdue Tree Doctor to help users identify more than 175 tree problems on over 60 types of trees common to the Midwest and northeast United States, expanding the app from iPhone to Android devices. "It will be like having our entire library of photos and recommendations in your pocket when trying to make a diagnosis," said Beckerman, associate professor of botany and plant pathology. The $1.99 app provides peer-reviewed information without recommending name-brand chemicals and serves homeowners, landscape professionals, arborists and garden center personnel.

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Tree Problems? We Have an App for That!

Purdue University developed the Purdue Tree Doctor app after two years of development to help diagnose and manage over 175 tree problems on more than 60 tree species, using over 1,000 high-resolution photos organized by damaged plant parts. The developers designed the app to function offline with "all of its critical information and photos on the phone in a modest package size (250 mb)" for users with spotty internet connections. The app costs $1.99 and is available for iPhone and iPod touch, with Android development expected by January 2013.

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'Tree Doctor' app can help homeowners diagnose problems

Purdue University scientists developed the Purdue Tree Doctor app to help homeowners and professionals quickly diagnose tree problems, using a library of 1,100 high-resolution photos to guide users through identification. "If we want people to use our information, we need to give it to them in media they use," said Cliff Sadof, a professor of Entomology who developed the app. The app covers more than 175 plant disorders and costs $1.99 through The Education Store.

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