Media Source
Skip Navigation Links
Skip Navigation LinksHome > Media Source > There's Money In Your Trees

There's Money In Your Trees

For Immediate Release
For Further Information Contact Sonia Garth:
(217) 355-9411 Ext 217


There's Money In Your Trees

CHAMPAIGN, IL - How much are your trees worth? Most likely more than you think. Homeowners invest a lot of time, care, and money into landscaping their property, expecting beauty and shade in return. But the unexpected "return" on that investment is that trees have monetary value as well.

When you stop to consider that landscaping can be worth up to 20 percent of your home's total property value, you'll understand why it's worthwhile to protect the investment you've made in your greenery. According to the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), a tree's value is based on four factors: tree size, tree type, tree condition, and overall tree location based on its functional and aesthetic purposes. A professional tree and landscape appraiser can determine where your trees or plants fall under these categories.

While it's impossible to prevent storms, accidents, and air pollution from causing damage to your trees and plants, it is possible to recapture your landscape losses through an insurance claim, or as a deduction from federal income taxes, advises ISA.

If your trees and landscape are damaged, ISA recommends that you:

  • Contact your homeowner's insurance company.
  • Have the insurance company send a professional tree and landscaping appraiser out to your property immediately after the damage has occurred.
  • Have the appraiser determine your financial loss, including the cost of removal and repair.
  • Contact a local ISA Certified Arborist if repair or replacement is needed.
  • Just as you would with any other valuable asset, document your investment in landscaping to help establish its worth. ISA suggests taking pictures of trees and plants while they are healthy to make insurance processing simpler with "before and after" examples.

    The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), headquartered in Champaign, Ill., is a nonprofit organization supporting tree care research around the world. As part of ISA's dedication to the care and preservation of shade and ornamental trees, it offers the only internationally-recognized certification program in the industry. For more information, contact a local ISA Certified Arborist or visit www.isa-arbor.com.

    News

    Hot Topics
    "Hot Topic" press releases fro the USDA newsroom ranging from current pest alerts for specific regions of the United States to new trends in disease prevention and tree and plant care. MORE >>

    Green Parking II: Putting Parking Lots to Work
    Green parking lots are defined as those that are designed to do environmental work. Parking lots should be designed to reduce the use of energy, improve environmental quality and to ensure more healthy conditions for people. Further, parking lots should be planned and designed to reflect regional landscape types. Plant materials and other materials of construction must be used in ways that will support this objective. MORE >>


    "If a tree is treated as a living organism, with an understanding of its vital functions, it will be a constant source of profit and pleasure to men." - N.T. Mirov

    Resources

    Tree Values Brochure

    Available through the ISA Web store

    © International Society of Arboriculture 2009
    P.O. Box 3129, Champaign, IL 61826
    Email comments & questions to isa@isa-arbor.com