I am hoping to acquire ideas how to best derive a dollar amount for the following "loss" situation:

My client, a tree service company, is being held liable for performing unauthorized, additional work to an approved contract. The additional work involved removing entire limbs at the main trunks of ten Sequoia sempervirens to achieve eight feet of clearance over the surrounding walkways. The trees are located within an apartment complex. My client is requesting a "loss appraisal" be performed to identify a reasonable and fair dollar amount of what is owed to their client for the limbs being removed. Please note that all cuts were made to ISA Standards.

Any ideas to best establish a figure to the loss? One idea I have is to appraise the tree then determine a percentage of how much foliage was removed. This number would then be added to the cost for improving the situation, such as annual fertilization. Thank you for your assistance.

Reply to post by David Babby, on June 22, 2000 at 17:15:33:

What you describe is one appropriate and acceptable method, but others may or may not be better. You need to retain an experienced plant appraiser to review the situation and make suggestions. It may even be that this unauthorized, but proper, pruning changed the entire effectiveness of the trees, and they are now not capable of providing their intended use....therefore a total loss.
good luck!
lew

Reply to post by David Babby, on June 22, 2000 at 17:15:33:

I'll second Lew's comments.

The American Society of Consulting Arborists can recommend highly qualified arborists and consultants in your area. Their web site and database is at
http://www.asca-consultants.org
or contact the main office at
American Society of Consulting Arborists
15245 Shady Grove Road
Suite 130
Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 947-0483