Tree Detection Using Terrestrial Laser Scanning Point Clouds: A Systematic Literature Review

Tree detection is a core task in forest inventory and mapping, yet reliable stem identification remains difficult in dense and structurally complex forests. This study systematically reviews the literature on terrestrial laser scanning (TLS)-based tree detection to summarize methodological development, identify persistent challenges, and highlight research gaps. Records were retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science (WoS). Following PRISMA 2020, 39 articles were included and analyzed using Bibliometrix v 5.2.1 package in R Studio 2026.01.1 and qualitative content coding. The reviewed studies were published between 2011 and 2025 in 20 peer-reviewed journals and involved 169 authors from 73 institutions across 24 countries. The literature was organized into three developmental phases: foundational development (2011–2015), rapid growth (2016–2020), and refinement and integration (2021–2025). Across these phases, methods evolved from geometric fitting and clustering to voxel-based and increasingly integrated workflows. Reported performance varied markedly with scan configuration, forest structure, and algorithm design, ranging from very low detection rates to near-complete detection under favorable conditions. Overall, TLS shows strong potential for forest inventory; however, dense stands, multilayered forests, and regeneration-rich environments remain major challenges.