Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most frequently asked questions about Bladwijzer: identification, your guide, gardens, the pruning schedule, tree surgeons, privacy and your account.

Identifying

Is Bladwijzer free?

Yes. Identification, your guide, gardens, the pruning schedule and the list of arborists are free and ad-free. If you like, you can support Bladwijzer with a donation.

How do I identify a tree from a photo?

Choose Photo, take a sharp photo of a single leaf, flower, fruit or the bark, and indicate what it shows. You get suggestions from the ObsIdentify recognition by Naturalis and Observation International, and from Pl@ntNet too if it is switched on. Two or three photos of different parts give a better result.

How reliable is the identification?

Each suggestion shows how certain the identification is, and whether both engines agree. It is still only a suggestion: compare the features on the species page. Never eat a plant or berry based on an app.

Does the identification key work offline?

Yes. Open Bladwijzer once while you are online, and the identification keys and species pages will then work even in the woods without signal. Photo identification does need an internet connection.

Which species are included?

The keys lead to more than a hundred common trees, shrubs, hedges and climbers from Belgium and the Netherlands: native species, park and street trees, fruit trees and garden plants. With photo identification you can add any plant to your guide, even if it is not in the key.

Your guide and your garden

Can I put Bladwijzer on my phone as an app?

Yes. Open the site in your browser and choose Add to Home Screen (Safari on iPhone: Share button, then Add to Home Screen; Chrome on Android: menu, then Install app). You don’t need an app from the store.

How do I put my garden on the map?

Choose Gardens and create a garden. Search for your address and tap your plot: the boundary comes from the land registry (CadGIS in Belgium, PDOK in the Netherlands). Then place your trees and plants on the aerial photo, with species, shape and last pruning.

How do I get the pruning schedule into my calendar?

In your garden or on the Pruning schedule page you’ll find a personal calendar link (iCal). Add it in Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or Outlook: your pruning jobs appear there automatically and move along when you mark a plant as pruned.

Can I share my garden with my partner or neighbours?

Yes. In your garden, choose Share and invite someone by email. For each person you choose whether they can only view, can edit too, or can mark pruning jobs as an arborist. You can revoke access at any time.

Arborists

How do I ask an arborist to prune or fell a tree?

Find an arborist near you, share your garden and choose Request a job. You mark the plants, what needs doing and when, and optionally add photos or a permit. The arborist receives an email with a work order (PDF) and replies in Bladwijzer.

I’m an arborist. Does it cost anything to be listed?

No. You register for free with your business, service area, services and certificates. Garden owners in your area find you and send you requests, which you follow up on your dashboard.

Does Bladwijzer handle the price or payment?

No. Bladwijzer brings garden owners and arborists together and keeps track of the request, the messages and the work order. You agree the price, arrangements and payment between yourselves.

Do I need a permit to fell a tree?

Often, yes. In Flanders, felling a tall-stemmed tree usually requires an environmental permit (omgevingsvergunning), depending on your municipality. Bladwijzer warns you when you make a request, but always check with your municipality.

Account and privacy

Do I need an email address?

No, a username and password are enough. With an email address you get notifications, can receive invitations and can request a new password if you forget it.

I’ve forgotten my password. What now?

On the login page, choose Forgot password and enter your username or email address. You’ll get a link to choose a new password. If there is no email address on your account, ask the administrator for a reset link.

Who can see my observations and my location?

Your guide is private unless you share it; a shared guide never shows your GPS coordinates. The Bladwijzer administrator can view the data to manage the site. It’s all in the privacy statement.

Does Bladwijzer use cookies or advertising?

There is one essential cookie, to keep you logged in. Only if you allow it, we also use Google Analytics to see which pages are visited; you can change your choice on the Cookies page. No advertising, no tracking cookies and no selling of data.

Can I download my data or delete my account?

Yes. Under Account you can export your guide (JSON) or print it as a booklet, and delete your account with all its data.