How the DJI Zenmuse L3 transforms forestry mapping

Case Studies

Published on 7 Nov 2025

How the DJI Zenmuse L3 transforms forestry mapping

Q: Why is drone LiDAR important for forestry applications?

Drone LiDAR - using solutions such as the DJI Zenmuse L3 - provides a fast, precise, and scalable way to map forests in 3D. LiDAR captures detailed 3D measurements of both tree canopies and ground surfaces, even under dense vegetation. This enables the creation of accurate Digital Terrain Models (DTM), and provides the ability to measure tree height and canopy density. This data supports forest inventory, biomass estimation, carbon modelling, and terrain analysis — all essential for sustainable forest management.

Q: What makes DJI's Real-Time Terrain Follow useful in forestry?

Forests often have uneven, sloping ground. Real-Time Terrain Follow keeps the drone at a consistent height above the surface, maintaining uniform LiDAR density and reducing collision risks during flights. Real-time Terrain Follow can be used with flying solutions such as the DJI M400-DJI Zenmuse L3 payload.

Q: Can the Zenmuse L3 be used for carbon and biomass analysis?

Yes, the DJI Zenmuse L3 can be used for carbon/biomass analysis. High-accuracy LiDAR data enables precise measurement of tree height and canopy volume, which are key variables in biomass and carbon stock models used for sustainability reporting and climate research.

Q: What drone is compatible with the DJI Zenmuse L3?

The DJI Zenmuse L3 is compatible with the DJI Matrice 400. It requires the use of the Zenmuse L3 single gimbal connector. Please ensure that the gimbal connector is connected to the E1 port on the aircraft's underside. Otherwise mapping accuracy will be reduced.

Q: What improvements does Zenmuse L3 have compared to the previous generation?

DJI Zenmuse L3 offers a range of improvements on the DJI Zenmuse L2. These include: Hardware performance improvements: Zenmuse L3 delivers enhanced LiDAR performance. When measured at the same distance, Zenmuse L3 produces a laser spot about one-fifth the size of L2 and supports up to 16 returns. This means much stronger penetration capability, greater range, and higher ranging accuracy. The new dual 100MP RGB mapping camera system brings a horizontal FOV of up to 107°, compared to L2's 73.7°. POS accuracy is improved to 0.02° for heading, and 0.01° for roll and pitch. Accuracy and efficiency improvements: Zenmuse L3's vertical accuracy is better than 3 cm at 120m altitude, better than 5 cm at 300 m, and better than 10 cm at 500 m. The point cloud thickness produced by Zenmuse L3 is only half that of Zenmuse L2, supporting advanced analysis and high-accuracy applications. With a smaller laser spot and higher single-pulse energy, Zenmuse L3 offers superior penetration capability. In terrain mapping and similar applications, it captures more ground points with greater completeness, significantly improving the accuracy and integrity of terrain data for precise surface fitting and reconstruction. When mounted on DJI Matrice 400, Zenmuse L3 delivers outstanding efficiency. At a flight altitude of 300 m, a single flight can cover up to 10 km², enabling up to 100 km² of daily coverage. Find out more in our in-depth DJI Zenmuse L3 vs DJI Zenmuse L2 comparison blog.

Datasets collected in partnership between heliguy™ and Forestry England show how the DJI Zenmuse L3 drone LiDAR payload benefits forestry mapping.

Sample datasets — collected by heliguy™ in collaboration with Forestry England — show how the DJI Zenmuse L3 can benefit forestry;
Datasets include true-colour point clouds, DEMs, and cross-sections showing the L3's ability to collect rich surface-level data below the canopy;
Find out how the DJI Zenmuse L3's key features — including 16 returns and long detection range — unlock powerful results for forestry applications.
heliguy™ has an in-house survey department, helping you start and scale your forestry workflows with the DJI Zenmuse L3.

Forestry professionals are increasingly turning to drone LiDAR to map forests faster and with greater precision.

The DJI Zenmuse L3 is an innovative drone payload for forestry mapping — combining range, accuracy, and automation in a compact payload.

In collaboration with Forestry England, heliguy™ tested the L3 in the challenging terrain of Kidland Forest, Northumberland, showcasing its ability to capture rich canopy and terrain data efficiently.

Key takeaways: How does DJI Zenmuse L3 help forestry?

Efficiency: Mapped 50 ha in 15 minutes with DJI Zenmuse L3 + M400.
Accuracy: Achieved centimetre-level accuracy with DJI D-RTK 3.
Optimised feature stack for forestry: 16 returns, 100 kHz–2 MHz pulse rate, Real-Time Terrain Follow, and dual 100 MP RGB cameras.
End-to-end workflow: Compatible with DJI Terra and DJI Modify for seamless LiDAR processing.
Tangible insights for forestry: Delivers high-accuracy canopy, terrain, and biomass data for forest management and environmental monitoring.
Get started with the L3: Leverage comprehensive and end-to-end support from heliguy™, including L3 consultancy, supply, and demos/rental options (hire L3 or hire the M400-L3 combo), dedicated survey support, pilot training, regulatory specialists, and UK-based repair centre.

Field Testing the DJI Zenmuse L3

Sample datasets collected by heliguy™ highlight the L3's ability to transform forestry mapping.

Our in-house survey team collaborated with Forestry England to conduct initial tests with the newly-released drone LiDAR payload in the undulating terrain of Kidland Forest, Northumberland.

Pairing the L3 with DJI's flagship enterprise drone, the DJI Matrice 400, we mapped a 50-hectare area in just 15 minutes.

Flight parameters: • 70m AGL with Real-Time Terrain Follow. • 16 returns. • 350 KHz pulse rate. • Linear scanning mode.

We paired the L3 with the DJI D-RTK 3 - ensuring centimetre-level accuracy, even in remote areas where Network RTK connection struggles.

Expert Insight

"These initial datasets show strong performance across varied terrain, delivering detailed structural insights, even in complex woodland. We’ll continue testing the L3’s capabilities across multiple sectors and look forward to sharing further results soon." - Alex Williams, heliguy's Technical Geospatial Specialist

Why is the DJI Zenmuse L3 good for forestry applications?

The DJI Zenmuse L3 is designed for forestry professionals seeking precision, speed, and reliability. It delivers high-quality LiDAR and RGB data, enabling accurate canopy analysis, terrain mapping, and biomass estimation.

1: Canopy & ground penetration

The L3 supports up to 16 returns from a laser pulse and has a very narrow beam divergence (0.25 mrad) — enabling the laser to penetrate dense foliage to obtain canopy, tree, and terrain data.

Its variable pulse rate (100KHz to 2MHz) and multiple scanning patterns offer flexibility across different forest conditions.

Why this matters: The ability to capture both canopy and ground returns is critical for tree-height modelling, DTM generation, and carbon stock analysis.

2: High accuracy

The L3 provides mapping scales of 1:500–1:2000, achieving remarkable precision:

120m altitude: 3cm vertical / 4cm horizontal.
150m altitude: 3cm vertical / 5cm horizontal.
300m altitude: 5cm vertical / 7.5cm horizontal.

Why this matters: Accurate LiDAR data ensures reliable forest metrics — from tree volume to biomass and slope analysis — supporting long-term management and environmental monitoring.

3: Fast and efficient mapping

Built for productivity, the L3 offers:

Detection range up to ~950 m.
Typical working altitude up to 500m.
Increased LiDAR FOV.
Can survey at speeds of up to 25m/s - although 15-17m/s is optimal.

Why this matters: Forestry projects often cover large tracts of land. The L3’s wide FoV and extended range reduce flight lines and mission time, boosting operational efficiency while maintaining high data density. This also unlocks more frequent repeat surveys - ideal for change detection and stand dynamics.

4: Integrated RGB imagery

Dual 100 MP RGB mapping cameras capture colour orthophotos simultaneously with LiDAR data.

Why this matters: Combining LiDAR and imagery enhances forest inventories, canopy health analysis, and visualisation — providing both geometric and spectral insights in one workflow.

5: Real-time Terrain Follow

The Zenmuse L3–M400’s Real-Time Terrain Follow proved invaluable during the Kidland Forest survey. Using onboard LiDAR data, the drone automatically maintains a constant height above the ground, even in steep or uneven terrain.

Why this matters: This ensures consistent LiDAR point density and safety in complex forest environments, while reducing pilot workload and improving mission efficiency.

6: Seamless workflow with DJI Terra and DJI Modify

The L3 integrates seamlessly with DJI Terra and DJI Modify, enabling a streamlined workflow from data capture to analysis.

DJI Terra: Handles LiDAR data processing and point-cloud generation. Ideal for creating assets such as DEMs. For forestry teams, this means you can quickly turn raw flight data into accurate 3D models of terrain and vegetation structure.
DJI Modify: Streamlines post-processing, allowing easy clean-up, editing, and measurement of point clouds. This is perfect for removing noise, isolating tree stands, or preparing data for biomass and inventory analysis.

Why this matters: DJI Zenmuse L3's compatibility with DJI Terra and DJI Modify makes forestry workflows faster, simpler, and more integrated. They eliminate the need for multiple third-party programmes, delivering a seamless, end-to-end LiDAR workflow, from flight to forest model.

How can heliguy™ help me integrate the DJI Zenmuse L3 into my workflows?

heliguy™ provides end-to-end drone and LiDAR solutions for forestry, surveying, and environmental monitoring. Our team supports clients through every stage of adoption and deployment.

We can help you with:

Consultation and system design: Helping you choose the right drone and payload setup for forestry and environmental workflows, spearheaded by our dedicated drone survey division.
Training and certification: Delivering CAA-approved training, and survey-specific training, for confident, compliant operations. Leverage support from our UK SORA consultancy to operate L3 higher than 120m altitude.
Hardware integration: Supplying and configuring platforms such as the DJI Matrice 350 RTK and Zenmuse L3 for ready-to-fly deployment.
Data processing and analysis: Supporting you with DJI Terra, DJI Modify, and post-processing workflows to create accurate forest and terrain models.
Ongoing technical and crash support: Providing expert aftercare, firmware updates, and troubleshooting from our dedicated geospatial specialists. Reduce downtime with our UK-based repair centre.

Contact our team to learn how we can help you harness the power of the DJI Zenmuse L3 for faster, safer, and more accurate forestry mapping.

Summary

The DJI Zenmuse L3 represents a new standard for forestry LiDAR mapping — blending accuracy, range, and intelligent automation in one versatile payload.

From canopy analysis to biomass modelling and terrain mapping, it empowers forestry teams to capture high-accuracy data quickly and safely, even in rugged landscapes.

To integrate the L3 into your workflows, and to benefit from mapping support from our in-house survey team, contact us.

James Willoughby

Written By

James joined heliguy™ in 2018 following a 13-year stint in print and online journalism, having worked on regional and weekly newspaper titles. He is responsible for spearheading heliguy™'s content strategy and social media delivery. James collaborates with DJI Enterprise's European marketing team to coordinate and produce case studies and helps organise events and webinars.