TREEBROWSER MOBILE – NOT JUST FOR THE DESKTOP ANYMORE

Kuhns M.1, Holloway, R., Holmgren L.N.2
1Extension Forestry Specialist, Utah State University Extension, Logan, Utah 84322 mike.kuhns@usu.edu
2Information Technologies Programmer, Utah State University Extension, Logan, UT 84322. robert.holloway@usu.edu
3Extension Agent, Utah State University Extension, Brigham City, Utah 84302, lyle.holmgren@usu.edu

In 1999, USU’s Extension Forester and Horticulturist published an extension publication titled “Selecting and Planting Landscape Trees”. The publication allowed readers to select trees with various growth related, ornamental and cultural characteristics. The information in that publication was enhanced by developing it into a searchable database software program, TreeBrowser a computer program containing native and introduced trees growing in Utah and the Intermountain West. In 2009, USU Tree Browser migrated into an interactive website, http://treebrowser.org, containing information on 241 native and introduced trees growing in Utah and the Intermountain West, including 1,070 full color photographs. Users browse through a complete list of trees or can narrow their choices by selecting from 21 general, growth-related, cultural, and ornamental characteristics.
Many users asked if the website could be modified so they could more easily access the website with their “Smart Phones” In 2012, TreeBrowser’s architecture was retooled utilizing HTML 5, a more advanced programming language that allows TreeBrowser’s functionality to work on many different platforms such as IPhone, IPad, Android, PC and Apple. The new website can be found at http://treebrowser.org/treeBrowser/usuTreeBrowser/TreeBrowserNew/index.cfm/pages.