2024 Masters Series: Tree Appraisal

When a client asks "What is this tree worth?" do you know how to answer?

The Texas Chapter of ISA has invited four of the premier tree appraisal experts from around the country for an in-depth look at placing a value on trees. They will guide you through the process of appraisal followed by an explanation of the different methods that can be utilized. After the groundwork is covered, there will be an overview of equipment and techniques used to assess tree value, then everyone will go outside for hands-on practical tree assessments. The last step of appraisal will be covered with a discussion of different reporting formats and the ethics of consulting. The course finishes with real life case studies.

Agenda

January 31st

9:30 -10:00 am: Registration - Coffee, water, snacks

10:00 – 10:10 am: Introductions

10:10 - 10:30 am: Scott Cullen -Tree Appraisal: A Short History

10:30 – 11:45 am: Scott Cullen - The Guide for Plant Appraisal, 10th Edition defines appraisal as “the act or process of developing an opinion of value, cost or some other specified assignment result.” The 10th Edition describes six steps in the systematic Appraisal Process:

Identify (Define) the Appraisal Problem
Define the Scope of Work
Collect Relevant Data
Analyze the Data. Approaches, Methods, and Techniques
Reconcile the Analyses to Produce the Assignment Result (Opinion)
Prepare the Report

11:45 – 12:30 pm: Lunch (provided)

12:30 – 2:00 pm: Scott Cullen - The Appraisal Problem is a careful and specific statement of the client’s question about value and its context. The Appraisal Problem is not a new concept and was treated generally in the Guide for Plant Appraisal, 9th Edition. It has become the cornerstone of the Appraisal Process. The 10th Edition describes six problem-specific elements or parameters:

Identify the Client and the Intended Users of the Appraisal
Identify the Intended Use of the Appraisal
Identify the Appropriate and Relevant Type & Definition of Assignment Result
Identify the Effective Date of the Appraisal
Identify What is Being Appraised
Identify Assumptions and Limiting Conditions

2:00 - 2:10 pm: Break

2:10 - 2:40 pm: James Komen - An Overview of Approaches, Methods, and Techniques of Appraisal

2:40 - 3:40 pm: James Komen - Trunk Formula Technique: Trunk Area and Unit Cost

3:40 - 3:50 pm: Break

3:45 - 4:30 pm: James Komen - Trunk Formula Technique: Depreciation, Rounding, and Additional Costs

4:30 - 5:15 pm: James Komen - Examples from Texas Case Law

5:15 - 5:30 pm: Q&A/CEUs - Wrap up for the day

February 1st

8:00 - 10:00 am: Mark Webber – Data collection and Forensic Testing and Analysis - The Relevant Characteristics of the Subject – Size, species, physical condition, and location. (Measurements, Species identification, Photographs)

Following the scientific method
ASTM Standards
Tagging, flags, and marking trees
Property boundaries, survey stakes, marks
Sample plots
Nursery data
Landscape Construction data
Real Estate Market data
Income data
Site Maps, Google Earth, Eagle View
Use of historical documents
Recreating missing trees and plants by growth modeling

10:00 - 11:45 am - Field exercise - break into groups and collect data on predetermined trees.

11:45 - 12:00 pm - Return to classroom - pick-up box lunch

12:00 – 1:00 pm: James Komen - Field exercise debrief during working lunch

1:00 – 2:00 pm: Marty Shaw – Reporting - Four reporting formats

Oral Reports
Form Reports (CTLA)
Letter Reports
Booklet Reports Cover Letter

2:00 – 2:15 pm - Break

2:15 – 3:15 pm: Marty Shaw -Appraisal Ethics and Professional Conduct

3:15 pm -4:00 pm: Panel - Q&A - Case studies - Q&A

4:00 pm - CEUs/Wrap up

CEUs: 14.75 in the following categories

Certified Arborist
Municipal Specialist
BCMA Management

Course Pricing

$295.00 USD
ISAT Members $265

Cancellation Policy

A processing fee of $50 USD will be charged for all cancellations received on or before January 19, 2024. Cancellations after January 19, 2024, will be charged the full amount of the registration fee. Cancellation requests must be emailed to [email protected].

Speakers

Scott Cullen

Scott Cullen has been involved in various aspects of arboriculture since 1971. He is a full-time consultant in the tri-state metropolitan New York area. He is a Registered Consulting Arborist, an ISA Certified Arborist, a CT Licensed Arborist, a NJ Licensed Tree Expert, a RI Licensed Arborist, and also holds the TRAQ and TPAQ credentials. Scott is a CT Licensed Real Estate Broker, and earned a master’s degree in real estate development and investment from New York University. He has been a member of ISA’s Plant Appraisal and Valuation Committee since it was founded, and was ISA’s representative to CTLA from 2011–2014.

James Komen

James Komen is a consulting arborist in California specializing in risk assessment and tree appraisal. He helps clients make informed management decisions for individual trees and for tree inventories. His work has been published in Arboriculture & Urban Forestry, Arboricultural Consultant, Palms, Ontario Arborist, and Western Arborist. He is an ISA TRAQ instructor and has taught workshops on tree appraisal around the U.S. and Canada.

Mark Weber

Mr. Webber holds nineteen certifications, qualifications, accreditations, and licensures in arboriculture and horticulture. Most notably, Mr. Webber is a Register Consulting Arborist, Board Certified Master Arborist, and a Certified Professional Horticulturist with over forty-seven-plus years of relevant professional experience.

Mr. Webber provides investigations, reports, and testimony in matters related to tree condition, plant value, maintenance, and care of arboricultural, agricultural, and horticultural matters. His expertise includes the management of nursery, arboricultural and horticultural, and agricultural operations, dendrochronology, pesticide use, crop, and tree injuries due to biotic and abiotic conditions, appraisals of damaged crops, trees, and plants, tree failures, and tree failures due to biotic and abiotic conditions, and an assortment of agricultural, arboricultural and horticultural issues. Mr. Webber is an admitted member of approximately thirty-two industry organizations, including the American Society of Consulting Arborists, Chartered Institute of Horticulture, International Dendrology Society, Tree-Ring Society, American Phytopathological Society, and the Tree Industry Advisory Committee to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Small Business Advocacy Review Panel for Tree Care Industry Rules. Mr. Webber has been a court-qualified expert witness in his field in the state courts of Ohio, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Washington, and California. Mr. Webber has also been qualified to testify in Federal Court proceedings.

Marty Shaw

The first American Society of Consulting Arborist (ASCA) member in Middle Tennessee. Served on the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council. The first Academy Registered Consulting Arborist, and one of only a handful of arborists worldwide who consult full-time. He has since consulted with private landowners, insurance companies, attorneys, tree companies, cooperative extension service agents, country clubs, state urban forestry organizations, universities, and colleges. He has worked on some of the most challenging, difficult and highest profile cases across the United States.

Location Information

Location Name
Hardberger Ecology Center
Address
8400 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, TX, 78231 US
Directions
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Appraisal Books

Guide for Plant Appraisal, 10th Edition, Revised
The Guide for Plant Appraisal, 10th Edition, Revised is the most informative and comprehensive alignment of current knowledge of the approaches, processes, and methods of plant valuation.
Included in this edition are detailed discussions of newly streamlined core concepts and terminology, a review of the organization and context of appraisal reports, and an updated emphasis on appraiser awareness of the environmental and ecological benefits plants provide. Also new to this edition are appendices and a glossary. (Revised October 2020, softcover, 170 pp)
$125.00 ea. [Sold Out]
Professional Amenity Plant Appraisal Handbook
GET IT SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR
Plant appraisal is a process that involves the determination of the value of a plant or group of plants based on various factors, such as their species, age, condition, location, and purpose. It is a crucial process for anyone involved in the management, sale, or acquisition of plants, including arborists, horticulturists, landscapers, property owners, and real estate agents. Having a guide for plant appraisal is essential.
$75.00 ea. [6 remaining]
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