114 Randrup: Development of a Danish Model for Plant Appraisal DEVELOPMENT OF A DANISH MODEL FOR PLANT APPRAISAL By Thomas B. Randrup Abstract. Inspired by the American Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers, the Danish Tree Care Association (ISA’s Denmark Chapter) initiated a group of national experts, representing various green-industry associations, in order to develop a common tree valuation model of specific relevance for Danish climate, culture, and traditions. The model (VAT03) has four primary factors: (1) a basis value, (2) health condition of the tree, (3) location of the tree, and (4) tree age. The new model establishes a value that is approximately 10 times higher than was past practice. However, tree values using this model are presumably lower than what can be assessed by other models. The model was introduced in 2003 and has already been used in several, and very different, court cases. Key Words. Urban trees; value; appraisal; Denmark. BACKGROUND Trees are present in parks, on squares, along streets and roads, in yards, and even on rooftops. Whether trees are self-seeded or planted, they provide the environment with technical, architectonic, and ecological goods and services (e.g., Miller 1997; Forrest et al. 1999). Goods and services provided by trees may be difficult to assess in economic terms. However, several studies have either done so or discussed tree values (e.g., Thompson et al. 1999; CTLA 2000; Tyrväinen et al. 2002; Watson 2002; Price 2003). The immediate need for a reliable valuation model is found in court cases, in which a damaged or felled tree is the subject. In Danish court cases, establishing the value of a tree is a somewhat varied and unstructured practice (Holgersen 1995). This has indicated the need for a recog- nized valuation model in Denmark. Such a model may also be used in a planning situation and as a economic tool for the protection of trees. Substantial funds are used when urban trees are planted, not only in Denmark but through- out Europe (Pauleit et al. 2002), as well as in the United States (e.g., Harris et al. 2004). A tree valuation model was previously developed specifically for Danish use (Tolstrup 1972). However, this model has not been broadly adopted. As a consequence, a Danish bachelor’s thesis evaluated six different tree ap- praisal methods from across the world (Poulsen 1999). The models originated from the following countries: Australia (Thyer 1996), Denmark (Tolstrup 1972), Germany (Koch 1987), Norway (Hageselskapet 1998), the United Kingdom (Helliwell 2000), and the United States (CTLA 1992). The ©2005 International Society of Arboriculture different models vary in approach, and in the final value of a tree. Based on the six different models, the thesis presented a new proposal, which was used as a background for more detailed discussions. Inspired by the American Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers, the Danish Tree Care Association (ISA’s Denmark Chapter) initiated a group of national experts, representing various green-industry associations, in order to develop a common tree valuation model of specific relevance for Danish climate, culture, and traditions. Based on the work by Poulsen (1999), they developed a valuation model that should be simple, and preferably generate a higher tree value, than what was previously seen. While it was an objective to create a model that could establish values higher than observed in current practice, it was not an intent to create a system that would establish values as high as possible. It was a goal to create a model that could be used under almost all circumstances, and thus adopted by the Danish court system. The Danish Model (VAT03) (Randrup et al. 2003) has been developed to be used under four different circumstances: 1. A tree is damaged to a degree to which the tree will have to be felled. It may be a public or a private tree that has been felled or damaged without permission. The owner (public or private) wishes economic compensation by demanding that the person who caused the damage be legally responsible. 2. An existing tree needs to be protected during a con- struction period, and a penalty value is calculated in order to prevent builders, entrepreneurs, and others involved in the project from damaging the tree. In this case, the tree health and life expectancy will be assessed prior to the construction period. The Location Factor (see below) will be assessed according to the expected location of the tree after construction. 3. One or several trees need an economic valuation due to expropriation, or under similar circumstances, where the total value of trees in a park, along a street, or within another geographic area is needed for planning reasons. 4. A tree is damaged to an extent where it loses value but does not need to be removed completely. The model may then be used to assess the value of the tree before and after the damage. The difference between the two valuations constitutes the appraised value of the damage.
May 2005
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