Automated Segmentation of Individual Tree Structures Using Deep Learning over LiDAR Point Cloud Data

Deep learning techniques have been widely applied to classify tree species and segment tree structures. However, most recent studies have focused on the canopy and trunk segmentation, neglecting the branch segmentation. In this study, we proposed a new approach involving the use of the PointNet++ model for segmenting the canopy, trunk, and branches of trees. We introduced a preprocessing method for training LiDAR point cloud data specific to trees and identified an optimal learning environment for the PointNet++ model. We created two learning environments with varying numbers of representative points (between 2048 and 8192) for the PointNet++ model. To validate the performance of our approach, we empirically evaluated the model using LiDAR point cloud data obtained from 435 tree samples scanned by terrestrial LiDAR. These tree samples comprised Korean red pine, Korean pine, and Japanese larch species. When segmenting the canopy, trunk, and branches using the PointNet++ model, we found that resampling 25,000–30,000 points was suitable. The best performance was achieved when the number of representative points was set to 4096.