CHAPTER XXI. 



LEGAL VALUE OF SHADE TREES 



SHADE trees have a value which may be translated 

 into dollars and cents. In no other investment may 

 the individual or community achieve manifold profits such 

 as those accruing from tree planting. Along with the divi- 

 dends in beauty and comfort must be reckoned the cash 

 value of each tree successfully planted and grown. 



Strikingly illustrative of the dollar and cent value of 

 shade trees is the definite appraisal placed on them by city 

 authorities. Springfield, Massachusetts, may be cited as 

 an example. Figures show that Springfield has more trees 

 in proportion to population than any other American city, 

 and the municipal government places an appraisal value of 

 $100 on each tree. With a total of 25, coo trees in the city, 

 this gives an appraised value of $2,500,000 to be counted 

 as an added asset of the community. Ann Arbor, Mich- 

 igan, uses a similar method of computation and reckons 

 the value of its 8000 trees at $800,000. In reaching these 

 figures the city officials followed the formula worked out 

 by Prof. Filibert Roth, one of the foremost of American 

 foresters, who formulated the first basis for shade tree 

 valuation in this country. 



In undertaking to set a standard for tree values con- 

 sideration must be given to many factors. A tree may be 

 of value only for its lumber, or for its shade, or it may be 

 as priceless as Hartford's Charter Oak or the world famous 

 Cambridge Elm. With much depending on location and 

 individual beauty, it is impossible to approach shade tree 

 values without the law of averages. 



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