Most people are aware that trees and other living plants are valuable. They provide beauty to our properties, manufacture oxygen, reduce rainfall runoff, provide sound barriers, and help us save energy by providing shade in the summer and wind reduction in the

winter. In addition, trees and other landscape plants are a part of the property that have a dollar value that can be measured by

competent plant appraisers.  Trees and plants in the landscape may constitute as much as 20% of the total value of your property.

If you have trees or shrubs that have been damaged or destroyed, you may be able to recapture your loss through insurance claims,

litigation, or as a deduction from your income tax. The extent of damage and how the damage occurred will determine which avenues are

available to you to recapture the lost value. If you have a portion of your property condemned for right of ways, utility easements or

other condemnation proceedings, the value of any trees and shrubs on that portion of your property should be considered in

determining your compensation for the loss of that property. There are four factors that should be taken into account for a professional

evaluation of the value of trees and shrubs. These factors are size, classification (specie), condition and location within the landscape.

All these factors can be measured to determine in dollars and cents the value of trees and shrubs, whether for insurance purposes,

court testimony in lawsuits, or for tax deductions. These are steps to be taken that will enhance the value of your trees and prevent

financial loss if they should be damaged or destroyed:

1. Plan your landscaping for both beauty and functional value.

2. Protect and preserve to maintain the value.

3. Periodically take pictures of trees and other landscape plants. This will make “before and after” comparisons easier and will expedite the process of insurance or IRS claims should you have a loss.

4. Check your insurance to see what type claims are covered.

5. Keep accurate records of landscape or real estate appraisals for any losses.

6. Consult a competent consulting arborist at every stage in the life of your landscape – planning, planting, care, and to make sure you do not

suffer needless financial loss when a casualty strikes.

Information in this article was taken from the brochure, Tree Values, available from the International Society of Arboriculture.■

Kim Cross