Tree Valuations

Overview

Tree Valuations are a feature in TreeKeeper allowing you to see the value of each tree and what it may cost if a tree is damaged or needs replaced.

How Valuations are Calculated

Valuation calculations are based off of the species, diameter, height, condition, and location value of the tree using the ISA 10th Edition Trunk Formula Technique.

TreeKeeper’s plant appraisal functionality is provided for qualified plant appraisers to use as a tool to help manage and understand tree value. TreeKeeper’s plant appraisal tool is based on the Trunk Formula Technique as described in the Guide for Plant Appraisal, 10th Edition (CTLA, 2018).

Pleased note that the estimated values using Trunk Formula Technique are based on default inputs provided by DRG for demonstration purposes only. Actual appraisal values may involve multiple methods in addition or in place of Trunk Formula Technique and should only be used by someone experienced and qualified in plant appraisal.

Viewing Valuations

With Tree Valuations enabled in your system, you will be able to access the valuation information for each individual site. When viewing the site information, click on the navigate to the Benefits tab in the top-right corner of the window. You can then click on the Valuation Reports heading to expand the section, revealing the information of the most recent valuation report. You can review past valuation reports by clicking the drop-down just above the report.

Valuations can also be viewed for the inventory as a whole by clicking on Tree Benefits in the sidebar, then clicking the Tree Valuations heading to expand the section.

The valuations feature can be enabled/disabled by request. Please contact the TreeKeeper Support Team if you would like tree valuations to be turned on or off in your system.

Editing Tree Valuation Information

You can also edit the valuation information for each tree species. This allows you to specify values to make your valuation estimates more accurate.

To edit valuation data for a species value, head to Administration Center > Species Information Management. From there you can find the species you would like to edit and click the Edit button within the Actions column.

If you scroll to the bottom of the Edit Species List Value form, you will see six fields under ISA Guide Plant Appraisal 10th Edition Values. These fields are defined as follows:

Functional Limitation: 0-100%; this value represents the restriction on tree growth or intended use in the landscape. For example, an invasive species might be assigned a lower functional limitation in relation to its intended use and a palm tree in the Midwest would have a lower functional limitation as it’s highly unlikely to thrive.

Replacement DBH: This is the diameter at breast height (inches) of the largest commonly available replacement tree of the same species (and cultivar or variety when relevant).

Replacement Cost: The dollar amount representing the cost of an available replacement tree.

Replacement Additional Cost: The dollar amount representing any additional costs associated with replacing a tree such as removal and cleanup of the damaged tree as well as maintenance and watering necessary for the replacement tree to grow.

Replacement Reference: An open text field used to document where the values came from. This could be something along the lines of “ISA Guide”, “ABC Nursery”, etc.

The default values assigned to all tree species are for demonstration purposes only. You can adjust the valuation numbers as detailed above to get more accurate estimates every time the site is edited. You can also run an Actual Valuation where you assign specific Functional Limitations and various costs to get a more accurate one-time report, which is covered below.

Running an Actual Valuation

A one-time valuation report can be generated for a given site where you will specify the functional limitation, size of the replacement tree, and various costs.

To begin, view the site you want to generate an actual valuation report for and head to the Benefits tab in the top-right corner of the window. Click on the Valuation Reports heading to expand the section and you will see the Run Actual Valuation button.

Clicking the Run Actual Valuation button will open a form where you can specify values for the one-time report. Certain values will be automatically loaded with information based on the specie’s values but can be changed for the given report.

Subject Tree

Species, Trunk Diameter, Cross-sectional Area, and Condition Rating are pulled from the site’s current information and cannot be changed.

Functional Limitation is populated by the limitation saved for the current species but can be changed for the Actual Valuation.

External Limitation is populated by the value saved for the system but can be changed for the Actual Valuation.

Replacement Tree

Species will default to the current species of the site but can be changed.

Changing the species will load the Trunk Diameter, Replacement Tree Cost, Source, and Total Additional Costs set for that species. Those values can be changed for the Actual valuation.

Calculations

The costs under this section are calculated based on Replacement Tree factors above.

Additional Costs

Total Additional Costs can be entered as a total, but will otherwise add up the values entered in Clean up Costs, Installation Costs, and Aftercare Costs.

After filling in all the required information, click Submit Actual Valuation and the report will be saved.