What's a Tree worth?

Yes, in most instances….MONEY grows on trees !

We are all aware of real estate appraisals, so with the tremendous dollar investments in landscaping and in particular trees, WHY NOT TREE APPRAISALS ?

The main difference is that with trees we are dealing with a “living” unit.

Whether you own a very “historic” walnut or oak tree in the city or suburbs and are requested for a right of way, or you were exposed to a wild fire….trees have value, and the value can be established via appraisal.

Traditionally, the primary use of trees and shrubs has been thought to be the aesthetic qualities and beauty, whether they occur naturally or have been introduced. However trees and other landscape plants like shrubs, perennial flowers and turfs, have assets beyond their aesthetic value. Plants are living things-they are essential to all other organisms.

From time to time, damage occurs to these plants caused either by fire, disease, lightning, or intentional damage from construction, automobile accidents and “rights of way” acquisition. And this is were you need the advise and services of a qualified arboricultural appraiser, some one who is a member of The International Society of Arboriculturists and adheres to the outlines as prescribed by Landscape and Tree Appraisers. The qualified appraisal will be able to assist you in determining  the monetary value of the tree(s) prior to and after the incident and whether this is an insurance claim or a private settlement.

Establishing this monetary value can be done in a number of ways. It’s an art as well as a science, for the circumstances will dictate what particular procedure should be used. It may be the replacement cost plus some additional money. In any event, it will involve lots of measuring, trunk and canopy inspection, root examination, core drilling (if it’s a hazard tree), soil probe, and in fact, we have to rate the size, species, condition and location factors.

Yes there’s MONEY in “them thar trees”, so to explain it in an abbreviated format, let’s examine the following:

• Size – the circumference, normally at 1.4 meters from the ground level, calculates this.
• Condition – it’s present structural integrity and state of health prior to the damage. This involves the skill of a qualified tree appraiser.
• Location – what does the plant contribute to the residence, building, view, park setting, business, highway or forest, does it have any historical significance, or is it a rare species?
• Utility – does shade, does it obscure an unsightly vista – or is it a hazard, heaving of the surrounding pavement, obscuring sight in line of traffic?

The plant appraisal is a complicated process, but well worth the effort if you believe that Trees are Worth a lot of  $$$$$$$.

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