For five years, I worked as lead technical writer for James M. Fisher Construction. I assisted Dr. Fisher in documenting and assessing environmental and property loss after natural disasters for clients throughout the state of California. It was my responsibility to write and edit reports documenting loss, including environmental impact, cost analysis, and resolution. While at the company, I created and implemented the use of web forms and web systems to streamline the data collection process and also to facilitate a better client experience that included client review and comments.
My responsibilities as lead technical writer included analyzing data, including drone footage and satellite imagery, and summarizing findings and proposed mitigation efforts. I interfaced regularly with certified arborists, civil engineers, attorneys, utility companies, grading contractors, and hydrologists to evaluate existing systems as well as proposed mitigation efforts. Costs were determined on each project, and the methodology for the cost analysis was detailed in each report. My written reports were scrutinized by both our team and other experts in the field and then a rebuttal process. Fun times.
Below is an excerpt from one of the many reports I wrote as Lead Technical Writer. Client names, property information, and cost analysis has been redacted in keeping with the non-disclosure agreements of the company.
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Introduction
Every tree is unique. The size, condition, age, location, growth pattern, species, and history all contribute to the unique individuality of every tree. Accounting for such variance in the value of a tree may be complicated, particularly when the tree has been damaged, removed, or is of considerable age and size. Tree appraisal is a systematic process that uses both quantitative analysis and qualitative judgment to assign cost or value to individual trees (Council, 2019). Dr. Fisher is an ISA Certified Arborist (WE-11342A), and [Client], the owner of the property, asked him to perform this appraisal.
Subject Tree
A coast live oak (Querqus agrifolia) was located in the front yard of the property in close proximity to the main roadway, [address]. The tree was visible from the residence, driveway, and roadway. It provided shade, beauty, and character to the property. According to [client], the tree was a heritage tree, and the tree was removed without his permission by [redacted].
Dr. Fisher visited the property on [date], and met with [client] to discuss the tree, take measurements of the remaining tree trunk, and note the location of the tree. On [date], Dr. Fisher revisited the property to assess the labor required to remove the existing tree trunk and replant a new tree. The stump of the subject tree measured [redacted] at its narrowest. See [redacted image] below.
Heritage Trees
Heritage trees are trees that are of cultural or historic significance. The tree’s unique age, size, rarity, aesthetics, or ecology are the main criteria for the heritage designation. Heritage trees are usually old, large, specimen trees. They are considered irreplaceable. Often they are part of a city, county or state’s database of designated heritage trees (Heritage, 2017). In many instances, cities maintain plaques and commemorative signage near heritage trees.
In [redacted location], [redacted ordinace] recognizes oak trees as significant, historical, aesthetic, and ecological resources and requires a permit before a person may cut, destroy, remove, relocate, inflict damage, or encroach into the protected zone of any oak tree with a DBH (diameter at breast height) of 8″ or greater (Los Angeles County, 1988).
While it is not possible to establish [client]’s tree as an official heritage tree without documentation, its historical, ecological and aesthetic significance is recognized and protected under the [redacted] ordinance. The tree’s age, condition, and location will be considered in the appraisal process.
Assumptions and Limiting Conditions
It is important to identify the assumptions that were necessary for our appraisal as well as the limiting conditions (Council, 2019). The tree was already removed prior to Dr. Fisher’s property visit. Dr. Fisher had only the measurements of the stump to use in his appraisal. The tree’s trunk diameter at breast height (4.5 feet from the ground) or DBH is the standard measurement for appraisal. Tree trunks have a natural taper, and while the diameter can be estimated from the stump, it is not the same as having the actual measurement. Dr. Fisher assumed the correlation between stump and DBH to taper like that of other coast live oaks (Querqus agrifolia).
Dr. Fisher had no opportunity to observe the health and condition of the tree as it was removed before his visit to the property. Based on his conversation with the owner, Dr. Fisher assumed the tree was reasonably healthy and in good condition at the time of its removal.
Methodology
The Purdue formula, an industry standard for tree appraisal, is a trunk formula method for estimating a tree’s value (Dana, n.d.). Finding a replacement tree with [redacted] diameter is not feasible. The formula works by determining a basic unit cost, determined by available nursery stock, and scales the cost up to the size of the tree that was removed or damaged.
[Redacted], an ISA Certified Arborist and owner and of [redacted] in [redacted], provided the following costs. [Redacted]. These prices do not include installation or tree care after the planting. Dr. Fisher contacted a landscape contractor that services the [redacted] area. To plant a [redacted size] coast live oak tree requires removing existing stump, digging a hole, having a crane lift the tree from the bed of the truck and placing the tree in the desired location. [Redacted] elaborated that most trees of this size are lost due to under-water or over-water concerns. Therefore, a tree maintenance program must be established. Estimated installation, watering, and care of a [redacted size] live oak in [redacted location] is [redacted cost].
The cost, including installation, of the largest replacement tree available is [redacted]. Using an average trunk diameter of [redacted] we calculated a base value of a coast live oak to be [redacted] per square inch. The original tree was considerably larger and in an ideal location. The species was of historic and ecological importance and protected by the county, and the condition and health of the tree was good according to the property owner. Accounting for these factors and using the cross-section area of the estimated trunk diameter of breast height ([redacted]) we calculated the replacement value of the tree to be [redacted].
Conclusion
While the appraised value of the tree is significantly higher than the replacement cost of the largest available specimen for [redacted] diameter tree, it should be noted that [redacted] diameter trees are not available for purchase as replacement. The tree that was removed was a large, mature tree that provided considerable value to the property and the property owner. Furthermore, the nursery stock estimates and installation estimates are subject to change at any time and were provided without a site inspection. It is likely that additional costs will be necessary to prepare the site for a replacement tree and to ensure that the replacement tree survives transplant.
References
The Council of Tree & Landscape Appraisers, (2019, February). The Plant Appraisal Process.
Arborist News, 12-19.
Dana, Michael N. (n.d.). Landscape Tree Appraisal. Purdue University Cooperative Extension
Service. Retrieved from http://www.docs.dcnr.pa.gov/cs/groups/public/documents/
document/dcnr_010078.pdf.
Heritage (2017). Heritage Tree. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heritage_tree
Los Angeles County (1988). The Oak Tree Ordinance. Retrieved
from https://ucanr.edu/sites/oak_range/files/60602.pdf
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