Landscape tree appraisals

[ruffwoods]

Where do the landscape trees stop and timber trees start? I'm sure this is a common problem, but there is little info out there to clarify. I've dealt with this before by lowering the placement value. However, other 'experts' claim these trees should only be valued as merchantable timber.

Has anyone valued trees for landscape on undeveloped lots. Is this possible, and if so, is it a commonly accepted practice.

Its seems to me the process is quite subjective, and relies on the professional opinion of the appraiser.

 

[ATH]

"on undeveloped lots"
I think you just answered your own question...

Yes, there is something to be said of the opinion of the appraiser, but more importantly at the end of the day is that of the buyer. An appraiser can say anything they want, but the seller has to find a buyer with $$$ who agrees.

 

[cntrybo2]

not getting it

maybe i am slow on the uptake this morning but, i dont quite follow this. Are you appraising timber on residential lots to determine lot value (doing this in board feet or what?) or are you appraising the value of lots for buyers to determine how much the tree is worth is they were to purchase it from a stock supplier? like i said, i could be showing my dumb side here. Help a guys out haha

 

[ruffwoods]

I'm referencing trees cut by adjacent landowners on residential lots. In wv many lots are landscaped with the residual trees and/or incorporate the woods as part of the landscaping. This makes it challenging to appraise some landscape trees because 'is it more appropriate to value as timber for a particular situation or does the tree exhibit characteristics consistent the guidelines for appraising landscape trees'.

The council of tree and landscape appraisers has engineered a recipe for appraising landscape tree. They developed certain formulas (trunk formula & replacement formula) that uses the number of square inches at dbh to determine the base value. This base value is then deducted by percentages for assessments of health, longevity, aesthetics, functions, placement, condition, and species. The appraised value has to be consistent with the lot value and contiguous lot values.

I've seen instances when horticulture experts have placed landscape values on trees that I would value as timber. Other times, I've appraised trees as landscape trees when other foresters/cert. arborists have argued the trees should be valued for stumpage.

I've nerver be able to locate any definitive guidelines for assessing this conundrum.

 

[cntrybo2]

thanks for clearing the fog. i can definately see the confusion in this, you would think this would revolve around some majic DBH number; if a tree measures a certain diameter it would be anotated as a merchantable timber species, if less than that DBH it is considered a landscape tree and just appraised for asthetics, size, species ect.......this would be a great topic for the ISA to develop a guaging scale for field arborists and appraisers.

 

[BayouTree]

If I had to venture a guess i would say it would be dependent on what the primary use of the property was at the time the trees were removed. If the lot is the persons residence and the value of the tree is derived from the aethtics, ect., then I would say the value is as a landscape tree especially if the landowner never intended to have his property logged. If the tree was on say a woodlot on the back of his property that he intended to log in the future then you probably would value the tree for the timber. I am not too familiar with this, but if you are dealing with a timber theft I think the value of the tree would also include its value once it has been processed into a wood product. This could really add up, but don't quote me on that.

 

[ATH]

..........but if you are dealing with a timber theft I think the value of the tree would also include its value once it has been processed into a wood product. This could really add up, but don't quote me on that.

The "norm" in most States for timber theft results in the thief paying 3x the market value of the timber.