Tree Height Classes for Saxony Forests from Remote Sensing, 2011-2023

Successively recorded between 2011 and 2023, this dataset visualizes tree height classes across the total forest area of Saxony, Germany. It was created on behalf of Staatsbetrieb Sachsenforst using automated derivations from digital surface and terrain models provided by the State Office for Geo-Based Information (GeoSN). The data differentiates 10 height classes from less than 2 meters to 30 meters and above, plus a class for mostly unstocked areas.

Use Cases

• Monitor forest growth and development over time based on the multi-year collection period (2011-2023).
• Estimate forest biomass and carbon stocks based on tree height class distributions.
• Plan forestry operations and harvest schedules based on spatial patterns of tree height.
• Assess habitat suitability for wildlife species based on forest structure indicated by height classes.
• Validate or calibrate other remote sensing forest products using the detailed, area-wide height classification.

Strengths

• Covers the entire forest area of the Free State of Saxony.
• Provides a long temporal series with data collected successively from 2011 to 2023.
• Differentiates 10 specific tree height classes plus a class for unstocked areas.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Data freshness should be verified as the last update date is in the future (2026-03-19).
• The dataset is provided only as a WMS service, which may limit direct analysis compared to downloadable vector/raster files.

Provenance

Source

Bundesamt für Kartographie und Geodäsie

Collection Method

Automated derivations from Digital Surface Models (DOM) and Digital Terrain Models (DGM), with additional aerial image-based models for some areas.

Time Range

2011-2023

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-19 00:00:00

Geography

Free State of Saxony, Germany