G1533

Landscape Tree Appraisal

David P. Mooter, Community Forester; Mark O. Harrell, Forest Pest Specialist; Rachel A. Allison, Community Forester Assistant; and John C. Murrow, Community Forester Assistant

The value of landscape trees is normally greater than the dollar value of the marketable wood they contain. Landscape trees are used for many architectural, engineering, climatic and aesthetic purposes. A realistic appraisal of landscape trees is often required to settle legal disputes, damage claims or casualty loss.

Tree appraisal is not an exact science. No simple formula or “cookbook” method can be applied. This NebGuide gives a brief overview of common methods used by professional tree appraisers and offers information on how to have a tree appraised for legal purposes. It is not meant to be a standard for tree appraisal although these methods can be used in some cases as a starting point to determine loss in the case of criminal trespass or negligent damage to landscapes.

Use of this publication is not intended for estimating the values of windbreaks, wildlife areas, woodland or any other non-landscaped area.

Information in this publication will discuss accepted methods used by competent tree appraisers. These methods appraise reasonable restoration costs or the value of trees in Nebraska. Basic tree factors, such as size, species, condition, location, site contribution and placement, and degree of damage, are evaluated. This publication may also be used in combination with the “Guide for Plant Appraisal — 9th Edition” (authored by representatives to the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers and available through the International Society of Arboriculture — http://www.isa-arbor.com/.)

Who Is Qualified to Do Landscape Appraisals

Several factors, including legal precedents resulting from court cases involving tree appraisals, have made appraisals quite complex. It is very unlikely that an untrained individual would be able to accurately appraise tree damage or loss and be able to defend the appraisal in court. If the damage or loss is significant, it is a job for a professional. If the damage or loss is minor, then a formal appraisal may not be necessary.

The Nebraska Forest Service maintains a list of qualified consultant foresters and arborists working in Nebraska. A copy may be obtained by contacting any of the authors of this publication.

Appraisal Methods

All of the methods listed here are used by professional appraisers who may select any one of these methods or use them in combination to derive the final appraisal. The first three methods are relatively simple while the fourth method, set forth by the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers, is more complex.

Comparable Sales

This method is normally used by a licensed real estate appraiser. It is based on actual real estate sales and considers the loss in property value due to tree damage. This assessment is made by comparing the damaged property to adjacent, undamaged property. This method is subjective in nature and rarely used because of the lack of hard data.

Value Loss to the Property This is an evaluation of the reduction in property value caused by the damage to the tree(s). Three factors are involved: For example:
fair market value of the property = $100,000
value of landscape = 7%
landscape impact loss = 20%
$100,000 x .07 x.20 = $1,400

Reasonable Restoration

If the trees damaged are larger than normally handled in the local nursery trade, then an evaluation of the cost of restoring the property is made. Based on the circumstances this evaluation may entail several different factors.

  • Replace the gross tree diameter loss with transplantable size trees.
  • Replace the gross basal area loss with transplantable size trees.*
  • The cost of mitigating the loss of property value (i.e. what landscaping can be done to the property to equal the property value before the damage).

    * Basal area is defined as the area in square inches of the cross section of a tree at 4.5 feet above ground level.

    Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers Method

    The Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers is a consortium composed of professionals from the American Society of Consulting Arborists, the International Society of Arboriculture, the American Association of Nurserymen, the National Arborists Association, and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America. These organizations have cooperated to publish a handbook for tree appraisal entitled “Guide for Plant Appraisal.” Copies of this handbook may be obtained by contacting the International Society of Arboriculture, Box 3129, Champaign, IL 61826. There is a charge for the handbook.

    These professionals use a list of tree species with associated ratings developed for specific geographic regions. These ratings are then combined with other information gathered on site including plant condition and location. The appraiser may also use methods previously described, including the actual replacement value of the tree(s) damaged.

    Species list and class ratings

    Species ratings are based on the species of tree, the geographic area where the tree is located, the species’ ability to adapt to the geographic location and the species’ desirability in the landscape. Species that are common to Nebraska are rated in Table I. A separate rating has been given to cultivars. In some instances a cultivar may actually decrease the species rating as in the case of “Bradford” callery pear and “Siouxland” cottonwood. Crabapples are listed as either disease resistant or non-disease resistant.

  • Ratings are in increments of 10 percent.
  • Species desirability is a part of the class rating and may include form, color, growth habit, flowering and fruiting characteristics, longevity, insect and disease resistance, and maintenance requirements.
  • The species class rating should not be used as a guide for planting recommendations as a number of species are borderline in colder areas.

    Replacement costs

    Table II gives replacement costs by size and species rating. To use the table, first locate the correct species rating from the species list in Table I. Next, find the appropriate species rating column on Table II and the appropriate caliper size (up to 8 inches) using the column on the far left side of the table. For example, a 4-inch caliper Pin Oak, Quercus palustris, has a species rating of 60 percent (Table I). Table II indicates that replacing a 4-inch tree with this rating would cost approximately $425.

    Table II reflects, as much as possible, the actual nursery market conditions in Nebraska (2003) by species classes and sizes. Replacement costs for trees 1 to 1.5” caliper are based on three times wholesale bare-root prices. Replacement costs for trees 1.5 to 5” caliper are based on three times wholesale balled and burlapped prices.

    Replacement costs for trees 5 to 8” caliper are based on mechanically moved tree prices. In standard nursery practice, trees with low species ratings are not normally available or planted in sizes over 1” caliper. It should be recognized that the cost of planting may exceed values in the chart.

    Trunk formula method This method uses a base price of $26 per square inch of trunk area measured at about 6 inches above ground level. This figure is based on the average of replacement costs of 8” caliper trees in the 60-100 percent species ratings.

    Table I. Nebraska Species Class List
    Scientific Name Common Name Species Class Rating %
    Alnus glutinosa Alder 30
    Phellodendron amurense Amur Corktree 30
    Malus x spp. Apple, Fruiting 40
    Thuja occidentalis Arborvitae, Eastern 60
    Thuja orientalis Arborvitae, Oriental 20
    Fraxinus pennsylvanica Ash, Green 50
    Fraxinus pennsylvanica Ash, Green (Cultivars) 60
    Fraxinus americana Ash, White 60
    Fraxinus americana Ash, White (Cultivars) 70
    Taxodium distichum Baldcypress 70
    Fagus grandifolia Beech, American 40
    Fagus sylvatica Beech, European 40
    Betula pendula Birch, European White 40
    Betula platyphylla japonica Birch, Japanese 60
    Betula papyrifera Birch, Paper 40
    Betula nigra Birch, River 70
    Nyssa sylvatica Black Gum 30
    Aesculus glabra Buckeye, Ohio 50
    Catalpa speciosa Catalpa, Northern 40
    Prunus virginiana Cherry (Chokecherry) 60
    Prunus padus Cherry (European Birdcherry) 20
    Prunus serotina Cherry, Black 50
    Prunus x ‘Shubert’ Cherry, Canada Red 50
    Castanea dentata Chestnut, American 40
    Castanea mollissima Chestnut, Chinese 40
    Populus deltoides Cottonwood, Eastern 40
    Populus deltoides Cottonwood, Eastern (Cultivars) 40
    Populus deltoides ‘Siouxland’ Cottonwood, Eastern, ‘Siouxland’ 20
    Malus x spp. Crabapple (disease resistant) 70
    Malux x spp. Crabapple (non-disease resistant) 30
    Cornus florida Dogwood, Flowering 40
    Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas Fir 80
    Ulmus americana Elm, American 30
    Ulmus parvifolia Elm, Chinese, Lacebark 40
    Ulmus rubra Elm, Red (Slippery Elm) 30
    Ulmus pumila Elm, Siberian 20
    Abies balsamea Fir, Balsam 90
    Abies concolor Fir, Concolor (White Fir) 100
    Ginkgo biloba Ginkgo (Maidenhair Tree) 80
    Ginkgo biloba Ginkgo (Cultivars) 80
    Koelreuteria paniculata Goldenraintree 30
    Celtis occidentalis Hackberry 70
    Crataegus oxycantha Superba Hawthorn, Crimson Glory 60
    Crataegus laevigata (oxyacantha) Hawthorn, English 60
    Crataegus x lavallei Hawthorn, Lavallei 60
    Crataegus crusgalli inermis Hawthorn, Thornless Cockspur 70
    Crataegus x mordenensis ‘Toba’ Hawthorn, Toba 60
    Crataegus phaenopyrum Hawthorn, Washington 60
    Crataegus viridis ‘Winterking’ Hawthorn, Winterking 60
    Tusga candensis Hemlock, Canadian (Eastern) 60
    Carya sp. Hickory 60
    Gleditsia triacanthos Honeylocust 40
    Gleditsia triacanthos Honeylocust (Cultivars) 50
    Ostrya virginiana Hophornbeam (Ironwood) 40
    Carpinus caroliniana Hornbeam 40
    Aesculus hippocastanum Horsechestnut 50
    Juniperus chinensis Juniper, Chinese (Cultivars) 30
    Juniperus virginiana Juniper, Eastern Redcedar 30
    Juniperus virginiana Juniper, Eastern Redcedar (Cultivars) 30
    Juniperus scopulorum Juniper, Rocky Mountain 20
    Juniperus scopulorum Juniper, Rocky Mountain (Cultivars) 30
    Gymnocladus dioicus Kentucky Coffeetree 80
    Larix sp. Larch 70
    Tilia americana Linden, American 70
    Tilia americana Linden, American (Cultivars) 80
    Tilia platyphyllos Linden, Bigleaf 70
    Tilia cordata Linden, Littleleaf 80
    Tilia cordata Linden, Littleleaf (Cultivars) 80
    Tilia tomentosa Linden, Silver 30
    Robinia pseudoacacia Locust, Black 30
    Magnolia sp. Magnolia 60
    Acer ginnala Maple, Amur 70
    Acer ginnala Maple, Amur (Cultivars) 80
    Acer nigrum Maple, Black 80
    Acer negundo Maple, Boxelder 20
    Acer campestre Maple, Hedge 10
    Acer palmatum Maple, Japanese 30
    Acer platanoides Maple, Norway 50
    Acer platanoides Maple, Norway (Cultivars) 50
    Acer rubrum Maple, Red 50
    Acer rubrum Maple, Red (Cultivars) 50
    Acer saccharinum Maple, Silver 40
    Acer saccharinum Maple, Silver (Cultivars) 40
    Acer saccharum Maple, Sugar 80
    Acer saccharum Maple, Sugar (Cultivars) 90
    Sorbus acuparia Mountainash, European 60
    Morus sp. Mulberry 20
    Quercus velutina Oak, Black 80
    Quercus macrocarpa Oak, Bur 100
    Quercus prinus Oak, Chestnut 90
    Quercus muehlenbergii Oak, Chinkapin 70
    Quercus robur Oak, English 60
    Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata’ Oak, English, Upright 60
    Quercus rubra Oak, Northern Red 80
    Quercus lyrata Oak, Overcup 70
    Quercus palustris Oak, Pin 60
    Quercus acutissima Oak, Sawtooth 80
    Quercus coccinea Oak, Scarlet 60
    Quercus imbricaria Oak, Shingle 80
    Quercus shumardii Oak, Shumard 70
    Quercus bicolor Oak, Swamp White 90
    Quercus alba Oak, White 100
    Elaeagnus angustifolia Olive, Russian 20
    Maclura pomifera Osage-Orange 30
    Sophora japonica Pagodatree, Japanese 20
    Asimina triloba Pawpaw 30
    Pyrus calleryana Pear, Callery (Cultivars) 50
    Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’ Pear, Callery, Bradford 40
    Diospyros virginiana Persimmon 30
    Pinus nigra Pine, Austrian 50
    Pinus strobiformis Pine, Border 50
    Pinus aristata Pine, Bristlecone 70
    Pinus strobus Pine, Eastern White 90
    Pinus banksiana Pine, Jack 20
    Pinus koraiensis Pine, Korean 50
    Pinus bungeana Pine, Lacebark 80
    Pinus flexilis Pine, Limber 50
    Pinus mugo Pine, Mugo 60
    Pinus ponderosa Pine, Ponderosa 50
    Pinus resinosa Pine, Red 30
    Pinus sylvestris Pine, Scotch 70
    Prunus cerasifera Plum, Purple Leaf (Cultivars) 20
    Populus nigra “Italica” Poplar, Lombardy 10
    Populus alba Poplar, White 10
    Cercis canadensis Redbud, Eastern 60
    Picea pungens Spruce, Colorado 90
    Picea abies Spruce, Norway 90
    Picea glauca Spruce, White 80
    Liquidambar styraciflua Sweetgum 70
    Platanus sp. Sycamore 60
    Syringa reticulata Tree Lilac, Japanese 70
    Ailanthus altissima Tree of Heaven 10
    Liriodendron tulipifera Tuliptree, Yellow-Poplar 60
    Juglans sp. Walnut 50
    Salix sp. Willow 20
    Cladrastis kentukea Yellowwood 40

    Table II. Approximate replacement costs in dollars* by size and species rating.
    Species Ratings
    Caliper size in inches 10 - 20% 30 - 40% 50 - 60% 70 - 80% 90 - 100%
    1.0 - 1.5 $25.00 $85.00 $115.00 $165.00 $205.00
    1.5 - 2.5 $32.00 $175.00 $255.00 $335.00 $400.00
    2.5 - 3.5 $37.00 $195.00 $335.00 $450.00 $550.00
    3.5 - 5.0 $60.00 $300.00 $425.00 $700.00 $850.00
    5.0 - 8.0 $100.00 $700.00 $1,100.00 $1,300.00 $1.500.00
    *2003 dollars.


    Visit the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension Publications Web site for more publications.

    Index: Forestry
    Miscellaneous
    Issued March 2004

    Related Resources International Society of Aboriculture

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