Integration of ZiYuan-3 multispectral and stereo imagery for mapping urban vegetation using the hierarchy-based classifier

•ZiYuan-3 multispectral and stereo imagery was used for mapping urban vegetation types.•Hierarchy-based classifier provided better classification results than random forest.•Identification of optimal variables for each tree node is needed to improve classification.•Incorporation of canopy height features into spectral data significantly improve vegetation classification.•Selection of proper variables plays more important roles than a classifier in improving classification.