Tree Value

[jinman]

I'm no expert, but I think I'd hire somebody to come plant a replacement tree if the original tree was that important to me. I'd hire the best person I could find and see if they had a service to take care of the tree until it is established or replaced. I'd present that bill to the folks who cut down my tree and ask them to pay it. If they refuse, I'd take them to small claims court. Most likely, they will pay you rather than go to court. Just keep evidence that they cut the tree (maybe photos of their adjoining property showing cut trees). With the evidence and an invoice in hand for replacement, you'll have a fairly air-tight case if they try to balk on paying you. It might be hard to prove "opinions" of experts, but when you have the bill in hand for replacement, it's hard to dispute that.

 

[dave1949]

Oh. See all that staining inside the meat of the tree? That's not good. Probably indicates there was a substantial amount of metal in the tree, which causes stains to run up and down the grain inside the trunk. That brings the timber value down quite a bit. And no sawmill would want to touch it, since they would pop blades on the metal.

Note: I am no expert on this.

I have several 20+" DBH Cherry trees on my property. I look forward to taking down a big straight one someday to make furniture, cabinets, or trim.

I wondered about that stain, it shouldn't be there. I wasn't sure if it was in the tree originally, or something caused it after cutting. It does look like it is well integrated into the heart wood. I've heard too that most saw mills aren't even willing to take the chance on yard trees.

Cherry is beautiful wood, and it just gets better with age.

 

[300UGUY]

A lot of mine are dying, I don't know why. I have a couple that are over 100 ft tall, easily 30+ inches in diameter. They are dying out, 1 branch at a time. I was thinking on how to cut them down, safely, but I decided to let mother nature do it for me.

 

[AlbertaMike]

I have a friend that is an appraiser and they often do work for the city or county acquiring pieces of land to widen roads etc. He has told me that an 20'-30' spruce they would adjust $1000 minimum per tree. If the county has to buy an entire stand of trees to widen the road can be $100K just for the trees before they pay for the land. Maybe you should talk to an appraiser/ assessor in your area....

 

[Jstpssng]

Let's see, a cherry log goes for a buck a board foot or more on the stump... and PA has some of the highest quality cherry in the country.
1"Description: Black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) is the largest of the native cherry trees of the United States. It may grow to more than 100 feet in height, and to as much as 5 feet in diameter. It is the only species of its genus that provides lumber for commerce. And this lumber, because of its stability and its superior working qualities, is one of the most precious of cabinet woods"
Silvical characteristics of black cherry (Prunus serotina)

My first question would be; was this an ornamental tree on your front lawn, or was it part of a managed forest? Yes, that stain in the stump indicates a large piece of iron was present; yet that's most likely from something in the first 8 foot section...

I don't know much about ornamentals, but I do know that you can get a well developed tree from the right nursery... if you want to pay for it.
(I'll bet http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/members/ncnurseryman.html could give you an idea)

Bottom line is that they messed up, now it's up to them to come good on it.

 

[caver]

Try the Forestry Forum (not part of this site).

 

[CliffordK]

I think i would be happy with just an apology, but I guess it all depends on the meaning of that one tree.

What is your landscape like? How close was that tree to the property line, etc.

I certainly wouldn't hire a tree service that couldn't tell the difference between a living tree and a dead tree. However, a "reasonable" compensation might be 100% of what they would ordinarily charge (gross) for cutting down a tree of that size, whether or not they actually got paid for that one.

The tree service shouldn't be expected to know exactly where unmarked property boundaries are, but the property owner hiring them should know where the property boundaries are, and should instruct them on what to cut, and should supervise the job.

At this point, the deed is done. Just pick out a new tree that you like and plant it if you desire one near that place.

Oh, also, did they grind the stump? They should at least clean up their mess.