Tree appraisal or valuation of trees

 

 

What is a tree appraisal or tree valuation?

And what is damage assessment?

 

Just as real estate and a car have a value, a tree also has a value. Tree appraisal or the valuation of trees is the determination of the intrinsic value of trees. The value as these trees are present on them location. So all the characteristics of the tree and its location were also taken into account. And in the event of damage to a tree, you can have a damage assessment drawn up.

The damage assessment for trees is based entirely on the tree assessment. A large part of the damage assessment for trees is based on the total appraised value of the trees. And in the event of a total loss of the tree, and this is sooner than you might think, there will be many additional costs in determining the damage.

 

 

A tree valuation is not merely the timber value of a tree

 

A tree appraisal is did not merely determining the timber value of a tree. The timber value of a tree is usually much lower than the appraised value of the living tree. You can consider the wood value as the value of the wood that the tree can yield in planks or lumber. And at worst it is worth as firewood. The appraised value of a tree, on the other hand, is the value of the living tree, taking into account its condition, species, location, plant relationship and ecological aspects.

An old tree that is in good condition and located in the middle of a city center will soon have a much higher value than a diseased tree that stands on the edge of a forest in the middle of a rural area. It is therefore clear that damage assessment for such trees will be higher than damage to trees in the forest edge.

Many factors determine the value of a tree. We discuss all these points below in the Uniform method.

 

 

Why value trees?

 

You may wonder: why have a tree appraisal carried out? And there are several different reasons for this.

It is always useful to value trees when civil works are going to be carried out near trees in the near future. This can range from the construction of paving, driveways and parking spaces to the construction of large real estate projects. With the latter often through source drainage the water table in the soil will lower to allow construction.

 

 

Valuing your trees then has two advantages.

 

On the one hand, you can use the result of the tree valuation (value of the trees expressed in euros) to motivate clients and civil works executors to ensure that they take the necessary tree protection to work out. And preventively, before drawing up the design, carry out exploratory root research. So that your trees will not suffer any damage.

 

On the other hand, if damage does occur to the appraised trees, you can demonstrate what the value and value are condition (this will be included in the valuation report) belonged to these trees before the works. And you can therefore also demonstrate the damage suffered in relation to that reference point.

We also use the tree assessment method in cases of damage to calculate the damage to the tree. Damage to a tree can be caused by, for example, a collision with a machine or vehicle. But also due to incorrect or excessive pruning by inexperts in or outside the sector.

 

 

Calculating the damage assessment for trees is also part of the tree assessment

 

As we describe above, damage can occur to trees. Some examples of damage to trees are:

• collision with a vehicle or machine, causing the bark to be partially or completely removed,
• digging away the roots of a tree, causing it to potentially suffer irreparable damage from future parasitic fungal infection and premature death,
• the pruning of very large branches by non-experts,
• excessive pruning and unnecessary candelabra or candlesticks of trees,
• the pruning of all overhanging branches on one side of the tree, possibly without your knowledge,
• damaging the root zone of the tree by soil compaction, caused by (heavy) transport, with future consequences loss of condition of the tree,
• stacking (building) materials in the crown projection of trees,
• the discharge of substances that are toxic to a tree into the root zone of trees, such as cement water,
• source drainage during construction work.

 

 

How does one arrive at a compensation amount for damage to trees?

 

When assessing damage to trees, the damage suffered is calculated based on the same parameters as for a normal tree assessment. But here the damage is equal to the difference between the value of the tree before damage occurred. And the value of the tree after the damage has been done. Possibly plus the costs of the remedial measures to return the situation to the state before the damage was incurred.

The Uniform method also provides a number of specific options for calculating damage in a very targeted and accurate manner.

When assessing damage, it is very useful to have a valuation of your trees before the damage occurred. In order to demonstrate how the condition and status of the tree, before the damage or injury. This is of course not always the case. But if you know that work will be done near your trees, it is advisable to appraise them in a timely manner. That makes it much easier to prove later.

 

 

Repair costs for the damage can be quite high

 

To go into more detail about the costs of recovery measures, these can be quite expensive.

If damage to a tree means its complete loss, restoration costs may be charged. It's the costs felling the tree. Then removing the stump, preparing the soil for planting and planting a new tree that is as equal as possible. Just like the total cost of the aftercare. It is precisely these costs that can be high.

 

 

Tree valuation upon expropriation

 

In the case of expropriations, the government will only try to pay you a small sum for the trees on the strip that is being expropriated. And appraise every tree as if it were in a forest. However, if it concerns a park garden, instead of a forest, the location value coefficient is 0,6 instead of 0,2. This is a factor of 3 difference.

In addition to the value of the trees, it can also be considered in this specific case planting new trees to be included in the total tree valuation. So that the view of the park garden is restored to its former glory. Don't forget the cost price growth site improvement not before planting. And the cost of aftercare not for replanting. Such tree valuations can be high.

By carrying out a correct tree valuation and correctly valuing your trees or tree project, you will be able to demonstrate their (higher) value very well.

The courts accept tree valuations according to the Uniform method. There are statements in which this method was applied as a standard.

 

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Valuation of trees according to the Uniform method

 

To allow everyone to determine the value of a tree in the same way, over the years tree care a generally accepted method has emerged.

Which makes it possible to accurately determine the value of a tree.

Namely “the Uniform method”.

The tree valuation according to the Uniform method takes the following factors into account, where the coefficients are multiplied by the basic value:

 

The basic value in € for a tree valuation is the starting point

This is the section of the trunk measured at a height of 1,3 meters above ground level, expressed in cm², and multiplied by the unit price (in €/cm²), which is in turn determined annually by the VVOG. For multi-stem trees, the trunk sections of the different trunks may be added together. And if there is a thickening in the trunk at a height of 1,3 metres, an average is taken from below and above the thickening, or the smallest section around a height of 1,3 metres.

The basic value is the amount to which the coefficients below are applied to arrive at the final tree appraisal value.

 

The fitness value coefficient

This factor is determined by the good or bad condition of the tree and its vitality. For this the tree is inspected and a VTA check is carried out. Trees in perfect condition, i.e. good condition, score high (1). A dead tree scores the lowest (0).

 

The species value coefficient

This factor is determined by the tree species and variety in question. Also the species value coefficient may vary from year to year. And the rarer the tree, the higher the coefficient.

 

The location value coefficient

This is a factor that takes into account the geolocation where the tree grows. Is the tree located in a city or village center, or does the tree grow in rural areas? The factor is highest in a city or village center and lowest in rural areas.

 

The planting method value coefficient

This coefficient indicates in which formation the tree was planted. Is the tree planted as a forest, large group, small group, avenue or avenue tree, or solitary? The coefficient is highest for a solitary tree (1).

 

The added value coefficient – ​​an important one in tree valuation

This factor takes into account the ecological and heritage aspects of a tree. A veteran tree classified as heritage receives an added value coefficient of 2,5. In short, this means that such a tree has 2,5 times more value than the same tree, if it is not a veteran or heritage listed tree.

Tip: the order of magnitude when determining damage to heritage trees or veteran trees quickly becomes very high. This is 2,5 times higher than the damage to a non-heritage tree or veteran tree.

 

To determine the value of your tree, many parameters influence it and we must determine them correctly one by one. We arrive at the final appraisal value based on the section of the trunk, unit value, condition, species (including variety/cultivar), location, planting method and ecological aspects.

 

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Calculate the value of the tree

 

 

After measuring and inspecting the tree, with or without further investigations, depending on its condition, and assessing all site parameters, the value of the tree can be calculated.

Make sure that a tree can have significant value.

For example, a few years ago we appraised a one-meter-thick red beech tree in Zoersel, on the edge of the village, just outside the built-up area, which was given a value of € 17.218,00. Our expertise, mediation and tree valuation were able to end the dispute between neighbors; through a tree protection plan, together with the expert pruning the beech, the beech could be preserved and the works carried out at the neighbor's site, without any negative impact on the beech.

The beech skins could be avoided. As a result, the ecosystem services that the beech provides to local residents were preserved.

After calculating the value of your tree (or several trees), we prepare a detailed report. With all findings, just like all calculations included. We deliver this report with the utmost care. And can be used as evidence in disputes, lawsuits, insurance or other procedures.

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What is my tree worth?

 

Trees grow slowly and it takes a very long time before a tree is large and mature. Almost always multiple generations of people.

A tree also determines the image of the environment. Just look at a park garden with solitary trees or a row of trees in an avenue. Or a tree along the separation from an adjacent plot.

Trees also provide shade in the summer. Trees filter fine dust and radiate tranquility. Trees also house birds, insects, butterflies and bats and are ecologically very valuable.

It makes sense, taking all these factors together, that trees do have a value. Because you can't just replace them all at once. Certainly not if they are very large.

 

7 important factors

 

The value of a tree depends on 7 factors. Namely the basic value, directly proportional to its size or rather trunk thickness (the number of cm² section of the trunk), the unit price (this factor is redetermined annually), species value, planting method value, location value, condition value and an added value factor.

The appraised value of a tree increases enormously if it is a rare species. In rare species the species value is sometimes 14 times higher than in common species. For example, the species value coefficient of Populus nigra 'Italica' and Populus x canadensis 'Robusta' is 0,3. And the species value coefficient of Ilex aquifolium is 3,90 and that of Buxus sempervirens is 4,40.

And a tree in top condition receives a condition value coefficient of 1,0 and a dead tree of 0 (zero).

 

 

Why can the value of a tree be so high?

When all factors that determine the tree value are large (or good), a very high value is obtained.

So has a great solitaire Fagus sylvatica 'Pendula' or weeping beech in top condition, with a trunk diameter of more than one meter, quickly worth several tens of thousands of euros in the middle of the village center. Is the same tree in bad condition and if it is located on the flat land between other trees, then this tree has a value of only a few thousand euros according to the Uniform method.

 

 

You can also make a valuation of a hedge or hedge, as well as any damage assessment

 

When a hedge has to be cleared due to expropriation, you will often not be offered much compensation. All too often people will try to compensate you “as a bunch”. However, this is not correct.

For example, if it is a large hedge or hedge, we can value the individual trees and shrubs using the uniform method to determine the total value. This value will be many times higher than a compensation payment for forests.

Tip: read what it is is the difference between a hedge and a hedge.

 

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