The mature trees with well-developed shade canopies being planted in Hemisfair Park offer immediate benefits, but they also have immediate costs. Like $7,000 per tree. A new Tree Recognition App encourages community members to donate for trees by providing a memorable digital experience as a tribute to loved ones, companies or organizations. 

Once a tree is planted, visitors can scan QR (quick response) codes on the tree or on wayfinding signs to launch a web app. They can then search for donors using a name or do a map search, which provides walking directions right to the tree. When they reach the tree, visitors find an AR scene that includes the ability to find more information about the type of tree, listen to an audio recording made by the donor, and read more about and see the person or organization that’s being honored. The entire experience is in English and Spanish.

And to become part of the landscape itself, visitors can “plant” virtual flowers at the tree. Juggle the phone just right, and a companion can snap a photo of you holding virtual flowers in front of the tree!

About 100 trees are already online. While the AR experience is best when you’re actually in the park, you can also see on your web browser what park visitors would see when they scan the QR code (works best on a phone or tablet).