On the 1995 Field Guide, the effect on neighbors affected placement rating. For me, this is only a factor when that effect has a clear and present impact on RE value for tree owner.

This would apply for many functional, but few aesthetic attributes the tree(s) give to neighboring properties. Examples would be dust control from a commercial property, and litter that comprises not just an aggravation but a liability or nuisance in the legal sense (like sweetgum balls on elderly people's driveway.)

Is this a proper interpretation? I don't want to paint in any more gray areas; I'm just trying to follow the Guide's intent.

Reply to post by Guy, on April 16, 2002 at 08:07:25:

If you look at my post in the previous thread, it is not vey clear what the intent of the 1995 field giude is in this regard. In the absence of clear logic I'd hesitate to rely too heavily on this.

I think your read is pretty good. The effect on the neighbors only affects value to the tree owner if there is benefit (or cost) to tree owner. That's all there is too it.

Remember also that the three factors (S,C,L) are depreciation. They REDUCE the cost indication of value. I don't see where we reduce owner's value across the board without neighbor benefits and then increase the rating a little if there is neighbor benefit. I suppose there are cases where the bulk of owner value might come from keeping a neighbor happy. But in most cases I would guess that off site benefit is a minor issue, a minor additive to value to the owner. In any case I'd want to have a clear indication of what those neighbor benefits do for the owner. Ideally a quantification of some benefit. Rhater than some touchy feely "OK add 5% to the Location rating for this." Maybe 5% who cares? But if I was going to add 25% or 50% to the rating I'd want some real factual backup.

Finally, IMO older Guide editions continue to offer useful guidance but you mostly want to look at current guidelines, particularly where they may have exposed an older one as flawed. Is there anything concurrent with 9th Edition on this neighbor benefit thing?