This is what I am proposing to do for a client and we have approval.Any help, ideas, extrapilations will be appreciated. I am writing a report based on the premise " We bought the property for the trees" The trees will be included in the sales brochures. My client bought 2 lots side by side w/ about 30 mature trees. We are over seeing the demolition of one of the houses. Everything will be done to work around and for the trees from soil tests to pruning/cabling. With the idea that you get money back with a profit as in the restoration of a classic car, house or any investment.(we see the cup half full)How would you write this report and place value on the trees? Thanks, Ken Six

Reply to post by Ken Six, on April 24, 1998 at 09:39:22:

The first item on my list would be to make sure the trees are a definite asset to the property. By that I mean, are they in really good shape? Do they require little or no maintenance? Most of my realators ask me if the trees going to require expensive maintenance over the next few years, so they can leverage that item in the sale price.
Then I would write about the qualities of each tree or group of trees as well as the type of care they require. I would have to be honest and also discuss any drawbacks the trees might represent.

Finally, I think I would discuss the care that the trees receive presently and the care that will be taken during construction. This is to let the prospective buyer know that the present owner thinks the trees are valuable too.

I am sure there are many more details, but that's just off the top of my noggin. Good Luck. Sounds like fun.

Reply to post by Dorothy Abeyta, on April 24, 1998 at 09:39:22:

Thanks for the responce thats the beauty of this project. At the same time I am writing the report I suppose I need to write it in future tense because we will be resoving any streses that the trees may be under and getting them all headed towards optimum health.

Reply to post by Ken Six, on April 24, 1998 at 09:39:22:


Have a look at the UK 'Valuation of Amenity Trees & Woodlands' Arboricultural Association publication - Authors; Helliwell D.R. and Coombes S.A. 1994 Second Edition

All there is to know on tree amenity valuation and has been used in the law courts.

Paul H.

Reply to post by Ken Six, on April 24, 1998 at 09:39:22:

Ken... don't see any mention in your posting of the CTLA Tree Appraisal Guide... just in case you are unaware of it... The Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers (CTLA) publishes a guide for appraising trees and landscapes, now in its eighth revision.... "Guide for Establishing the Values of Trees and Other Plants".

Study this guide thoroughly, partake of the many discussions on this forum and think about attending one or several workshops on appraising trees before attempting to do so in a meaningful manner for a client. It is a complex process, and once determined and documented, can result in many unanticipated legal ramifications.

For Tree Appraisal Workshops... ASCA-Am. Society of Consulting Arborists: 301-947-0483 OR asca@mgmtsol.com

Order CTLA Tree Appraisal Guide... ISA Publications: 217-355-9411

http://www.ag.uiuc.edu/~isa/publications/publications.html

Hope this information is helpful! Good Luck!!

Reply to post by Torrey Young, on April 24, 1998 at 09:39:22:

You are right I'm going to order the CTLA book tommorrow I've been aware of it for years and haven't ever ordered it (Face Slap). I think for now I will list the trees type,DBH,characteristics etc. as if you were looking them up in the western garden book and the treatment done to correct whatever is wrong and to get them headed towards optimum.

Reply to post by Ken Six, on April 26, 1998 at 02:03:06:

Ken... from your mention of the Sunset Western Garden Book, you must live in the western states... as your response was very positive and you have an obvious penchant towards learning... if you're not already a member, contact these organizations for workshop & conference dates... also consider joining... a lot to be gained just from the networking with other arborists (as in this forum!)!

Western Chapter ISA: http://www.wcisa.com/

International Society of Arboriculture: http://spectre.ag.uiuc.edu/~isa/

CA Arborists Association: (707)254-8862

Good luck on your project and your career!

Torrey

Reply to post by Ken Six, on April 24, 1998 at 09:39:22:

In the UK we have had a system of placing a monetary value on the amenity conferred by trees. It comprises an assessment of the trees for seven factors and assigning a score of from 1 to 4 to each factor. When you are done, you multiply the values in factorial fashion to produce a total. Having doen this, you then multiply the total by a cash multiplier, currently by £12.50 (@US$21) to derive a final value.

This system allows you to calculate a 'Capital Value' of the tree stock and this figure can be used as a starting point for any future calculations. For example, if the value of the 30 trees assessed individually, comes to say $100,000 - then this is a capital value. You can apply interest rates as years go by and add the costs expended on management to your capital costs.

Another method is to use the CTLA approach to derive the same 'Capital Value'

However you do it, present your report as a financial analysis. This will facilitate talking to Realtors, Banks, Mortgage Lenders and Insurance Companies, about your trees as you will be using a language they understand, i.e. MONEY

When you have derived an acceptable 'Capital Value' you would need to relate this to the Safe Useful Life Expectancy of the trees. Trees as you know have a life span and you would need to allow for replacement as part of your management calculations.

I would recommed that you try to get hold of a British Publication: A Guide for Trees In Realation to Construction - published by the British Standars Institute, (BSI), which provides super information on how to protect trees on construction sites. Implementation of these methods can be costed and included in your management costs.

You can contact BSI on http://www.bsi.org.uk
for details.

The first system I described can be obtained from the Arboricultural Association in the UK. It is entitled "Amenity Valuation of Trees & Woodlands" by D R Helliwell.

You can contact the AA on 011-44-1794-368717 or
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/treehouse/

Dealga O'Callaghan

Reply to post by Dealga OCallaghan, on April 24, 1998 at 09:39:22:


Valuation on the point system. You have £12.50 and I have £14.03 based on inflation rates since 1994 and S.Coombes oral communication most recently. Your thoughts please.

Paul H.

Reply to post by Paul H, on April 27, 1998 at 10:39:15:

Paul

I am aware that the value could be close to £14 but I am in the middle of a case at the moment and the weight of opinion goes with £12.50 which is derived from the RPI which is a more reliable indicator than inflation which, as you knw, can be massaged to suit politcal ends.

It is a moot point really as long as the calculation of the points total is not too variable, then any two sides in a dispute can agree on the actual £ value. This is one of the inherent weakness of the Helliwell system. The CTLA system works on replacement values and then projects a compounded interest over the time taken for the replacement to match the original. In this system one simply has to know the Bank Base rate at the time of calculation. The actual appraised value of the plant is worked out on a much ore scientific basis than the Helliwell system.

I hope this helps you.

Reply to post by Dealga OCallaghan, on April 27, 1998 at 12:15:43:


Therefore, it is obvious that any two sides will have differing views and that the Helliwell System (Amenity Valuation of Trees and Woodlands; 1994 Second Edition) is an overall subjective analysis of vegetation amenity valuation and open to mis-interpretation. Can we really configure a monetary value e.g. Is it £12.50 , is it £14.03. What is the value per point? After all points, make prizes.

The co-author tells me 4% increase in inflation. What are your figures.

Has this system worked well in every court in the UK?. or has it been opposed? Has it ever been thrown out? I look to Dealga for the answers.


Maybe Rodney H. can tell us more.

Paul H.