ORNAMENTAL AND SHADE TREES 



109 



tree. To obtain this a reduction was made for the con- 

 dition of the top and trunk, and the resulting figure used 

 as the factor. 



By applying the factors, obtained from the above 

 deductions, to all common species of shade trees, we 

 found that the sugar maple was 15 per cent below a per- 

 fect tree. Therefore, if the value of a sugar maple was 

 64 J4 cents per square inch of cross-section, the value of 

 a perfect tree, or a standard value, would be 75 cents. 



A table has been pre- 

 pared, using 75 cents as the 

 value per square inch of 

 basal area for a perfect tree, 

 and showing the proper de- 

 duction factors for a 1 1 

 species of shade trees. This 

 table is being used by this 

 office in obtaining values, 

 and has been found very 

 satisfactory. 



There is one point in the 

 discussion of the value of a 

 shade tree which has not 

 been touched upon in this 

 article, and that is "loca- 

 tion."' Viewed from some 

 angles, this is a very im- 

 portant point. From the 

 fact, however, that there is 

 such a chance for diversity 

 of opinion as to the proper 

 and improper location of a 

 shade tree, I have purposely 

 neglected to take this into 

 consideration in my factors 

 for deductions. The op- 

 portunities for deductions 

 of all kinds are so great. 

 and the possibility of arriv- 

 ing at any definite figure 

 for abatement so uncer- 

 tain, that it has seemed best 

 to eliminate this factor en- 

 tirely. It is my belief that 

 this deduction can safely be 

 neglected, unless the tree is 

 most obviously out of its 

 proper location. If, as 

 stated above, there can be no question about its im- 

 proper location, then the party or parties judging the 

 value should make some arbitrary reduction from the 

 value placed on the tree by the prepared tables. 



As a concrete example of the usefulness of some set 

 value for shade trees, we have established an approximate 

 value for all the street trees of Newton, Massachusetts. 



In the summary of data gathered from the shade tree 

 census, we have grouped all our trees by species, diameter 

 classes and conditions. For instance: Sugar maple, Ve" 

 inch ; '/i2-'"ch, etc., and either Good, Fair or Poor 

 condition. 



No. of 



Species. trees. J a.luc. 



Sugar Maple C,531 $612,851.00 



American Elm 2,471 417,867.00 



Norway Maple 1,130 98,737.00 



White Ash 383 85,112.00 



Red Maple 480 72,324.00 



White Maple 355 40,206.00 



All other species 1,228 189,505.00 



Total valuation 12,577 $1,516,602.00 



To obtain an approximate 

 value for these, we have 

 eliminated those classed as 

 Poor altogether, and then 

 based our calculations on 

 an average valuation for 

 trees in each diameter 

 class. The average value 

 was then reduced for spe- 

 cies and the resulting value 

 applied to the number of 

 (jood and Fair trees of each 

 species in each diameter 

 class, with the above result. 



This is discounting en- 

 tirely 2,320 trees classed as 

 Poor, which would, of 

 course, have some value. 



It can readily be seen 

 that with a permanent value 

 established, the aliove fig- 

 ures are of unmistakable 

 assistance to a City Forester 

 or Arborist in convincing 

 the City Government or 

 Town Fathers that it is a 

 good investment for them 

 to appropriate a sufficient 

 sum of money to properly 

 care for these trees. 



AN EXHIBIT OF 



TREES 



NORWAY MAPLE WORTH $63.61 



A perfect specimen twelve inches in diameter, the_ value of which has 

 been calculated upon the basis described by City Forester W. W. 

 Colton. 



An exhibit of ornamental 

 and shade tree work in 

 public parks and on private 

 estates will be held under 

 the auspices of the Conservation Department of the Gen- 

 eral Federation of Women's Clubs, on May 24th, at the 

 Seventh Regiment Armory, New York City. The Orna- 

 mental and Shade Tree Department of American Forestry 

 has been appealed to for its cooperation, and is now 

 organizing a general campaign of cooperation, enlisting 

 shade and park commissions, city foresters and others 

 willing to cooperate. All communications for further 

 details may be sent to the Editor of American Forestry, 

 or to Miss Mira L. Dock, chairman of the Forestry Com- 

 mittee of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, 

 Favetteville, Pennsvlvania. Promises for good exhibits 



