Well, I missed the one year anniversary of Russ's posting my article "Tree Appraisal: What Is the Trunk Formula Method," but yesteday on the 13 month anniversary there had been 891 "hits" on the article. That's quite gratifying, and shows a fairly constant rate of visits... more so than Russ and I anticipated. I hope the article has been useful, and am still interested in any feedback.

I've just been reviewing some of the earlier threads and there was some very well thought out and well written stuff contributed by various participants.... don't forget that it's there. Russ, have you made any progress on plans to archive and index this material?

The 9th Edition Guide for Plant Appraisal is due out soon. Perhaps it will elicit some interesting discussions. Re-reading the threads it's clear that the Guide is the principal source of methodology for most tree appraisers so discussion of the new edition should be fruitful for its users. It is also clear, however, that the Guide is intended by its authors only to be a guide, not a standard. It is also clear that an increasing number of appraisal cases and the entire field of urban forest management require a wider range of methodologies and understanding than the Guide provides.

Knothole provides a unique forum for these discussions.

Reply to post by Scott Cullen, on January 02, 2000 at 06:53:57:

Will there be an adjustment to the basic cost per square inch of cross section in the new addition?

Reply to post by Fred Hagenberger, on January 02, 2000 at 06:53:57:

Fred, I believe that the fixed price per square inch was last issued for the 7th edition. The 8th edition used a procedure whereby the unit cost was calculated currently and locally from available and replacable size material. Regional groups were encouraged to develop such figures that could be used routinely, and where they are used I expect that they are updated periodically anyway. Maybe Lew can tell us if there will be any change in the 9th Edition.

Reply to post by Scott, on January 05, 2000 at 15:07:12:

You are right again, Scott. THE GUIDE will not have a square inch cost. This will again be up to the regional guides (to be reviewed annually) or the individual appraiser.
Very treely,
Lew

Reply to post by lewbloch, on January 05, 2000 at 17:12:20:

Dear Lew and Scott,
Read with much interest your discussion. Would very much like to learn more about tree appraisal. I have the eighth edition (I realize there is a 9th edition)put out by ISA and the MA Species Rating Guide. Do you know of an arborist doing appraisals in the Blacksburg, VA area that might be interested in letting me observe. Thanks

Reply to post by Olen J Sharron, on January 05, 2000 at 17:57:20:

Possibly Mitch VanYahres in Charlottsville does some. Burt Smeltzer in the Norfolk area may do some, and Ed Milhous in Catharpin does some. I am in the D.C. area and also do some. I suggest you contact ASCA about when an appraisal workshop may be in the works. There probably won't be a Mid Atlantic one real soon, but I just don't know. The workshops are usually real good and helpful. Good luck!
Very treely,
Lew

Reply to post by Olen J Sharron, on January 05, 2000 at 17:57:20:

Penn-Del Chapter is planning a Valuation Workshop, probably in May. Just in the planning stages now. It will most likely be held at Mont Alto, Pa, Penn State Campus (10 miles west of Gettysburg, just off I-81).

I'll post more details on this board when they are available.

Reply to post by Olen J Sharron, on January 05, 2000 at 17:57:20:

For the past several years I've taught a lab on tree appraisal at Virginia Tech for urban forestry students. It has not been set up for this year yet, and the professor is retiring, so it's hard at this point to say if or when it will occur. Also, I do not know if it would be open to non-students.
[Lew, I'm now in Haymarket it's hard to hit a moving target :^) but foreigners probably would not know where one ended and the other began.]
As for $$$ figures, I expect the Mid-Atlantic's species rating committee will meet to discuss the 9th edition once it is available.

Reply to post by Ed Milhous, on January 14, 2000 at 13:44:45:

Ed, thanks for the information. Last winter, Dr. Jay Stipes, allowed me to sit in on his course for the winter semester and through his effort I ended up sitting in on three other courses. I found the Tech Professors very willing to let me do this as I was not taking the classes for credit. Would you mind giving me the name of the Professor teaching the class and e mail address if you have it. I would contact the Professor to se if I might be able to sit in on the lab if he plans on having it. Thanks again
Olen

Reply to post by Russ Carlson, on January 14, 2000 at 13:44:45:

Russ, thanks for the information. I will be looking forward to when you are able to post the meeting info. Thanks again. Olen

Reply to post by lewbloch, on January 14, 2000 at 13:44:45:

Lew, thanks for the information. I will contact ASCA. You will note that Russ indicates a session in PA and will post details as developed. Thanks again. Olen