(Via Gardening Tips 'n' Ideas)

Posted by admin to Trees & Conifers on 2008-01-30, 13:10:48

Sadly, and deplorably, yes!

I stumbled across a site where the REAL geeks hang out and talk about gardening topics when they've run out of gadgets to review. Here at stevenf.com, the blog's author decided to share his views on trees. And it's not a bad review except it comes from one who seems devoid of taking the reviewed item for a test drive in his own garden. Instead, it comes from a guy loitering around car yards kicking the tyre rims to test their value.

But, I'm not about to berate him on his views of trees and their worth to society. He doesn't claim to be a passionate gardener, after all.

Yet reading through his comments you'll find some obvious gardening EXPERTS spreading their views upon the geekdom realm.

Trees are for noobs, I'm all about the shrubbery.

or,

Personally, I think trees are vastly overrated. A lot of tree-fanatics and tree heads claim their existence improves the vista, that they're pretty or somesuch nonsense, but when I look out of my window right now, all I see are ugly brownish stumps. My proposal would be to only have trees during the summer; they are an eyesore in winter.

and then this gem from someone who KNOWS,

Excellent review. We've got a number of trees installed at my house, although I wonder whether their much-hyped environmental benefits are all they're cracked up to be, especially when you consider the huge amount of waste they generate (do you have any idea how many different chemicals are in a leaf?!)[Emphasis mine]

All this from guys who are helping the environment by increasing server power, updating superfluous gadgetry and caring little about their carbon footprint.

It hit me hard though, when I read one commenter recommending the Brotherhood of the Anti-Arboreal Association - treehater.com. Treehater? People HATE trees? Wow! What kind of mixed up society do we live in?

Hey, Treehaters - try breathing without them!

(Via Gardening Tips 'n' Ideas)

Posted by admin to Trees & Conifers on 2008-01-11, 17:37:45

Trees are probably the most valuable landscape feature we store on our properties. Not just fiscally but for more reasons than we probably expect.

Yet, even if we ONLY consider their monetary value we might be in for a bit of a surprise. Those trees you once thought were just nice trees might actually hold some value.

There are many ways landscapers can appraise the value of a tree. This article offers three suggestions, so I thought I might run the numbers using my three Silver Birch Trees that reside in our front garden. Initially we bought them from a local nursery for $50 each but three years on they are now worth much more.

Method #1 - Comparable Sales

I'm not sure that there are two many people willing to buy fully matured Silver Birches. They have a fast growth rate and these have reached maturity within 3 years.

Method #2 - Value Loss to the Property

This is a very interesting method of appraising a trees value because it differs greatly on the property's value. But, let's run the figures and then we'll discuss it.

In determining a value by this method there are 3 factors which are considered;

1. Fair market value of the property prior to the damage.
2. The contribution of the entire landscape as a percentage of fair market value. (Research has indicated that the value of trees and shrubs average about 7 percent of the total property value with a range of 0 to 20 percent.)
3. An estimation of the landscape impact lost due to tree damage. This estimation is given as a percentage.

So, for this property the figures would look like this;

Fair market value of the property = $500,000
Value of landscape = 7%
Landscape impact loss = 5%

$500,000 x .07 x.05 = $1,750

Therefore my three birches would have a value of $1,750. But what would happen if those same size trees were taken from a similar sized house in a lesser valued suburb;

Fair market value of the property = $300,000
Value of landscape = 7%
Landscape impact loss = 5%

$300,000 x .07 x.05 = $1,050

You could save yourself $700 by getting mature trees from the cheaper end of town. It all depends on the properties value.

Method #3 - Reasonable Restoration

The final method is trying to deduce what it would cost to restore these trees if they were damaged or removed with a similar sized tree. This method also uses three variables in determining a value;

1. Replace the gross tree diameter loss with transplantable size trees.
2. Replace the gross basal area loss with transplantable size trees.*
3. 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.

This value could be anything from the original $150 spent up to a few hundred dollars.

Yet Another Method - Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers Method

Out of all of the methods, this one seems to be a bit more scientific - well...as scientific as it can get. The method is based on current valuations from nursery stock set against these four criteria: 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.

So, based on 2003 figures (which have been used in the report), Betula pendula has a 40% species class rating and their trunk sizes are greater than 5.0 inches. This equates to each of my silver birches valuing at $700 each, or a total of $2100 at 2003 prices.

Conclusion

Based on these four methods, my silver birches could be valued at anywhere between $150 and $2100 - quite a significant price variation. In reality it probably more depends on what someone is willing to pay for them to be uprooted, transported and then the inherent transplant risk to have them placed in their garden.

And just to add something more to the pot, we haven't even considered the GREEN value of these trees and whether this will have an impact on landscaping values in the future. If it did, then my fast growing betulas may be worth even more.

(Via Gardening Tips 'n' Ideas)

Posted by admin to Trees & Conifers on 2008-01-11, 17:37:45

Trees are probably the most valuable landscape feature we store on our properties. Not just fiscally but for more reasons than we probably expect.

Yet, even if we ONLY consider their monetary value we might be in for a bit of a surprise. Those trees you once thought were just nice trees might actually hold some value.

There are many ways landscapers can appraise the value of a tree. This article offers three suggestions, so I thought I might run the numbers using my three Silver Birch Trees that reside in our front garden. Initially we bought them from a local nursery for $50 each but three years on they are now worth much more.

Method #1 - Comparable Sales

I'm not sure that there are two many people willing to buy fully matured Silver Birches. They have a fast growth rate and these have reached maturity within 3 years.

Method #2 - Value Loss to the Property

This is a very interesting method of appraising a trees value because it differs greatly on the property's value. But, let's run the figures and then we'll discuss it.

In determining a value by this method there are 3 factors which are considered;

1. Fair market value of the property prior to the damage.
2. The contribution of the entire landscape as a percentage of fair market value. (Research has indicated that the value of trees and shrubs average about 7 percent of the total property value with a range of 0 to 20 percent.)
3. An estimation of the landscape impact lost due to tree damage. This estimation is given as a percentage.

So, for this property the figures would look like this;

Fair market value of the property = $500,000
Value of landscape = 7%
Landscape impact loss = 5%

$500,000 x .07 x.05 = $1,750

Therefore my three birches would have a value of $1,750. But what would happen if those same size trees were taken from a similar sized house in a lesser valued suburb;

Fair market value of the property = $300,000
Value of landscape = 7%
Landscape impact loss = 5%

$300,000 x .07 x.05 = $1,050

You could save yourself $700 by getting mature trees from the cheaper end of town. It all depends on the properties value.

Method #3 - Reasonable Restoration

The final method is trying to deduce what it would cost to restore these trees if they were damaged or removed with a similar sized tree. This method also uses three variables in determining a value;

1. Replace the gross tree diameter loss with transplantable size trees.
2. Replace the gross basal area loss with transplantable size trees.*
3. 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.

This value could be anything from the original $150 spent up to a few hundred dollars.

Yet Another Method - Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers Method

Out of all of the methods, this one seems to be a bit more scientific - well...as scientific as it can get. The method is based on current valuations from nursery stock set against these four criteria: 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.

So, based on 2003 figures (which have been used in the report), Betula pendula has a 40% species class rating and their trunk sizes are greater than 5.0 inches. This equates to each of my silver birches valuing at $700 each, or a total of $2100 at 2003 prices.

Conclusion

Based on these four methods, my silver birches could be valued at anywhere between $150 and $2100 - quite a significant price variation. In reality it probably more depends on what someone is willing to pay for them to be uprooted, transported and then the inherent transplant risk to have them placed in their garden.

And just to add something more to the pot, we haven't even considered the GREEN value of these trees and whether this will have an impact on landscaping values in the future. If it did, then my fast growing betulas may be worth even more.

(Via Gardening Tips 'n' Ideas)

Posted by admin to Trees & Conifers on 2007-12-03, 13:30:44

The stereotypical Christmas tree is an evergreen conifer, drooping at the foliage end from the weight of the crisp, lazy snow. Even in Australia, where temperatures soar past the 100 mark... and more, we idolise this sentimental picture as though it were something we experience every year.

If the truth be told, however, our environment couldn't be more extremely opposite than the images we hold dear.

So it's with a tinge of passion, and patriotic pride, that I reveal the Australian Christmas tree; Nuytsia floribunda. This tree shouts Ocker; Aussie, Aussie, Aussie...Oi! Oi! Oi! from every pore in its genetic makeup. It's even got the lights already in place and needs no more adornment.

As a gardener, I love the seasons as they come and go. When winter rolls around the acacias light up the bush dismissing the depressingly grey clouds overhead. Then the banksias, proteas and grevilleas summon in the start of spring as the Geraldton waxes follow them up like a child lagging on his way to school.

And once they've all finished their vain promotion, and the grasses have turned a golden brown, the Nuytsia stands to attention and flicks the switch on the most incredible light show the bush has ever seen. The lighthouse of the Australian native garden.

I've had an insatiable curiosity with these trees ever since my mother pointed them out when I was just a boy. How did they flower, when everything else had long finished and gone into seed production? But more importantly, why did we still buy conifers for Christmas instead of planting one of these?

The answer is because they're not the easiest plant to cultivate. As a member of the mistletoe family they're parasitic and require a host plant in cultivation. They can be propagated from their ripened seeds but when planted out need to be coupled with a host plant, anything that will allow itself to be dominated.

Once established, the Nuytsia can grow about 10-15m high and require very little water, relying predominantly on good winter rainfall. They will flower profusely from the start of December up until Christmas and their flowers commence hot orange fading to a dulled light ochre.

Nuytsias are a beautiful tree. Hopefully one day they will replace the snow-laden conifer on our Christmas cards and truthfully show an Australian December.