ecoSmart is a Web-based software program designed to evaluate the economic trade-offs between different landscape practices on residential parcels. The program estimates the impacts of strategic tree placement, rainfall management, and fire prevention practices. Users work in a computer-simulation environment to test various landscape and hydrologic alternatives to arrive at environmentally and economically sound solutions.

developed by...

Center for Urban Forest Research
Pacific Southwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service
1 Shields Avenue, Suite 1103
Davis, CA 95616-8587
(530) 752-7636
Fax (530) 752-6634
http://cufr.ucdavis.edu/

With support from:

Pacific Southwest
Research Station

USDA Forest Service
State and Private Forestry


- add trees, remove trees, grow trees, or move trees to new locations - estimate how different kinds of trees in different locations influence energy use for heating and cooling ... more...	- add cisterns, swales, depressions, dry wells, or low water-use trees. - evaluate the effect of these solutions - see how different irrigation schedules influence water use ... more...	- remove trees and shrubs, change species, or reduce ladder fuels by raising tree crowns - simulate an actual fire to demonstrate how landscaping decisions affect fire safety ... more...

Did you know your home landscape can save you money??
Our new software is designed to help you plan your home’s landscape to save you dollars.

Plant shade trees to reduce your air conditioning bill.
Install water conservation practices to reduce your water bill.
Place trees and shrubs properly to make your home safer in the event of a fire.

how does ecoSmart work?

Display your home and landscaping on your computer screen.
Add a driveway and sidewalks, install decking.
Add trees and shrubs.
Add efficient irrigation, infiltration basins, drywell, or cistern.
Remove trees, grow trees, move trees.
Add low water-use trees.
Change species, reduce ladder fuels.
Simulate prescriptions for up to 40 years into the future.
Simulate individual rainfall or fire events.
See How it Works - View PowerPoint

See the results immediately! The bars at the left update automatically as you change the landscape of your house, showing your fire hazard, energy usage, and water usage.

Diagram of ecoSmart interface.