Comprehensive Utility for Thinning Mechanically via Automated Prescription (CUTMAP)

American forests are facing growing threats from catastrophic wildfires, which endanger communities, cost taxpayers billions of dollars in disaster recovery, and damage the environment. One of the most effective tools for protecting our forests is mechanical thinning, where select trees are removed to give the remaining trees more room to grow and to reduce the amount of fuel available to a wildfire. However, these thinning treatments are considered cost-prohibitive and require highly skilled planning, which has limited their use. This project directly addresses this problem by making forest thinning more affordable and effective, helping to create healthier, more resilient forests across th nation.To solve this problem, our project will develop and test an innovative technology called the Comprehensive Utility for Thinning Mechanically via Automated Prescription (CUTMAP). This system is essentially a smart set of cameras and a powerful computer designed to be mounted directly onto harvesting equipment. As the machine moves through the forest, the system will create a detailed 3D map of the surrounding trees and use intelligent software to make real-time recommendations for which trees should be removed to best improve the health and safety of the forest. The ultimate goal of this project is to prove that this technology works, paving the way for a commercially available tool that will significantly lower the cost of forest management. The widespread adoption of this technology will lead to safer communities through reduced wildfire risk, a stronger timber industry, and more vibrant forest ecosystems for future generations to enjoy.