Why are some trees worth more than others?

One of the first things we do in a timber conversion case is hire an arborist to appraise the lost value of the trees that have been cut or harmed. When landowners receive their tree appraisal they often have questions about how the trees were valued and why some trees are worth more than others. Most people intuitively understand that a larger tree is worth more than a smaller tree, but other differences in value are not as obvious.

A complete explanation of the methodology used by arborists to value trees would be far too much to write in a single article, but I can speak to some of the most common factors that effect tree value beyond the size of the tree.

Age

Older trees tend to be worth more than younger trees. Older trees are usually larger, provide more shade coverage, and are much harder to replace than younger trees, resulting in higher value.

Condition

A healthy tree is worth more than a sick tree. To the untrained eye it may not be obvious that a tree was sick or dying, but arborists are experts at spotting the symptoms of disease or pests that can indicate a tree is sick or dying.

Species of Tree

Hardwood trees, like oak or maple, are usually worth more than softwood trees, like pine or fir. Hardwood trees take longer to grow to maturity and their large canopies of color-changing leaves are appealing to property owners.

Location

A tree that is located somewhere with good access to water and light, and free from external limitations on its growth, is worth more than a tree that is not. Trees that are too close to houses, powerlines, roads, or other structures will need to be pruned back and that reduces their value.

Damage and Recovery

Sometimes a tree isn’t killed outright (i.e. cut down) but is instead damaged, for example by having its limbs, roots, or trunk harmed. Depending on what parts of the tree were harmed, and how badly the tree was injured, the tree may make a full recovery. Or the tree may end up dying a slow death over many years. An arborist will be able to determine the difference between an injury the tree can recover from and an injury that will become fatal.

So how much are my trees worth?

It depends. A scrawny pine sapling in a poor location may only be worth a few hundred dollars. A large, healthy, mature oak tree with plenty of open air around it could be worth over $20,000. We’ll help you select a certified arborist to access the value of the trees that were harmed.