Using Google Maps on a Computer or iPhone

Viewing maps of the Arboretum Trees was originally done manually by entering latitude and longitude into Google Earth. Later Google Fusion Tables were used, which was very straightforward. Unfortunately, Google discontinued Fusion Tables in 2019. Now we use a combination of Google My Maps (to create the maps from the data base), Google Maps and Google Earth to view the maps.

This article explains how to view maps of the trees on a computer using a web browser (for example Safari, Firefox or Chrome), and on an iPhone or iPad. There is a Google My Maps App on Android devices and that should work directly.

Google My Maps

Click on the Map Link.

All the Arboretum Maps are created with Google My Maps and the links on this web page are to the My Maps version. However, unless you have editing privileges for the map, it will open in Google Maps. Google Maps is not meant for this Geographic Information System (GIS) type of application, and it is confusing to use.

Google Maps

Click on the Map Link.

As noted above, unless you have edting privileges for the map, it will open in Google Maps. Google Maps is not meant for this Geographic Information System (GIS) type of application, and it is confusing to use. You may get more useful information by using Google Earth.

Google Earth Pro on a Computer

If you have downloaded Google Earth Pro on your computer, you can use to view the maps linked from this web site. Download the KML file from this Web Site and then double click on the file to open Google Earth Pro on your desktop.

Google Earth in a Computer Web Browser

Click on the Google Earth for Web Browser link on this Web Site

Note that the procedure for viewing the map in Google Earth on an iPhone is different. See below.

Note: Especially when view trails, point of intereest may be hidden by 3D trees. Go to Layers and turn off 3D buildings.

Google Earth on an iPhone

If you have previously opened one of the Google Earth Maps in a web browser on your computer while you are logged in to a Google account, then the same map will be available on your iPhone Google Earth App if you are logged into the same Google Account. If so, you will see a list of the Google Earth Projects. You can click on any one to open it. Keep in mind this may not be the latest version. If it isn't, try the procedures below.

Viewing Google Earth maps on an iPhone can be confusing. Following are some procedures that seem to work most of the time. The key thing is to get the KML file to be accessible in the iPhone Files App.

Use your computer browser to go to the Web Page for the desired Map, e.g. Medford Trees In Place, double click on the link for the KML file. When it opens, click on the download icon to download it to your computer.

From your computer, you need to transfer the file onto your iPhone so it is accessible in the Files App. On an Apple Computer you can do this through iCloud.

Email the KML file to the iPhone

On any computer, you can email the KML file to yourself. On your iPhone open the email with the KML attachment. If you tap on the Download icon to the right of the file name, you will have a choice to save it to Documents, Downloads or some other Folder accessible by the Files App. Once you tap on one of these choices, the KML file will be in that location. (see the one of the paragraphs below, "Opening Google Earth from the KML file in the iPhone Files App" or "Open the KML file from the Google Earth App" for how to open the map in Google Earth using the Files App.)

While still in the email app, If you tap on the file name, it will open the KML file in text mode which is not the desired end result, however if you then tap once on the share icon (box with arrow coming out of the top), you will see a screen with lots of choices. In the second row, you should see an icon for Google Earth. If you tap on that, the KML file will open in Google Earth and you will see the map.

Opening Google Earth from the KML file in the iPhone Files App

Alternatively, if you have the KML file in one of the locations accessible from the Files App, go to that location and tap once on the file. As above, you will see the KML file in text mode which is not the desired end result, however if you then tap once on the share icon (box with arrow coming out of the top), you will see a screen wih lots of choices. In ther second row, you should see an icon for Google Earth. If you tap on that, the KML file will open in Google Earth and you will see the map.

Open the KML file directly from the Google Earth App

If the Google Earth App is open close it and then open it again. Tap on +New and then tap on import file to project from device. Navigate to the folder on the Files App where the KML file is. Tap on the KML file, this will open the map in Google Earth.

Note: Especially when view trails, point of intereest may be hidden by 3D trees. Go to Layers and turn off 3D buildings.

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