Trees in Chrisman’s Town Square inventoried in 1977
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In this study, the trees of the Chrisman Town Square were inventoried. The trees within the park were individually located, by measurement, and then inventoried. The trees within the park were individually located, by measurement, then identified.
The identification process included looking at the tree form, the leaves, the buds, the bark and the leaf scar.
Usually, a tree’s work is taken for granted. But, have you were tried placing a price tag on an existing tree?
For example, if the town of Chrisman were to lose the nice street trees because of the new sewer system, how much would the lost monetary value be?
Well, after the Town Square Park trees were identified, they were analyzed according to accepted standards of the International Shade Tree Conference for calculating a monetary value for trees. The following characteristics were considered in calculating a tree’s value:
1. Tree Species: The tree species is very important because the characteristics and aesthetic qualities of all trees are not the same.
The characteristics of each tree species are important because of maintenance requirements.
Each species has different growth rates and therefore requires from light to heavy pruning. Also, trees have different tolerances and disease resistances to a variety of climates and habits. There are also many more characteristics which are important considerations of tree species.
The aesthetic qualities of a tree are also important. The shape, amount of shade, the flowers, and the leaves are important in selection of tree species. Likewise, they are all important criteria for tree evaluations.
Both the characteristics and the aesthetic qualities are considered for all tree species to formulate groupings of the best trees. Each group or tree species is then assigned a percentage according to the favorable characteristics and aesthetic qualities.
This percentage is then used in formulas for calculating the monetary value of a tree. The percentage of a single tree species may vary according to the regional and specific location.
2. Tree size: The size of a tree is very important in determining the value of a tree. The larger the tree us, the more the tree is worth. Tree size is determined by D.B.H. (Diameter at breast height). This measurement is then changed to cross sectional area in square inches, by using PIR. The cross sectional area is important because it is used as the determining factor for tree size in the tree evaluation formula.
3. Physical Condition: The physical condition of the tree is important in tree evaluations.
The evaluator personally examines the health of the tree: He looks at growth calluses, growth of the bark, growth rings, leaf-size and color, pruning and wounds. After examining the tree, the evaluator then assigns a percentage of the health of the tree for use in the tree evaluation formula.
4: Minor Considerations: Tree location or the Surrounding Qualities of the Area. Now that we have discussed the criteria used in tree evaluations, some explanation of the tree evaluation formula should be given.
The method that was used in this study was the International Shade Tree Conference Method.
This method was chosen because of its accuracy and that it has been legally used in court cases.
Formula: $15.00 per square inch x Cross Sectional Area (in square inches) x Species Value (in 20 increments) x Physical Condition (in 20 increments) equals Estimated Tree Value.
The following chart of tree value corresponds to the Town Square Park Existing Condition Map in which the tree identification and tree value relate by way of a tree identification number.
In evaluating the trees in the Town Square Park, the most noticeable fault appears to be a lack of regular maintenance and pruning program. Such a program is necessary if the existing healthy trees are to be maintained.
The trees that currently need pruning should be taken care of in the near future by qualified personnel and in accordance with current pruning standards.
A complete set of there pruning standards will be furnished to the Town Square Study Group.
Also, several of the present trees within the park should be considered for removal in the near future.
These trees are considered to be in poor physical condition and might be considered a safety hazard.
This decision, for tree removal, should be made after consulting qualified arborist and after all efforts have been made to save existing trees.
Replacement trees should be considered and any choices should be made after consulting a landscape architect. The tree species and the placement of trees are very important considerations when considering the park and its use.
Any additional trees or plants should be planned in terms for the siting and actual tree planting.
In terms of additional studies that can be done on Chrisman’s vegetation, the trees within the town should be documented.
This phase of study was started, due to the weather, was not completed. Perhaps this study will be completed during the spring semester.
Estimate Value of Trees in the Town Square in 1977:
Species: Diameter: Value
1. Pin Oak, 10, $942
2. Eastern Redbud, 5, $236
3. Sugar Maple, 20, $3,770
4. Silver Maple, 34, $3,268
5. Norway Spruce, 6, $424
6. Sugar Maple, 24, $6,786
7. Eastern Redbud, 8, $754
8. Tree of Heaven, 15, $848
9. Green Ash, 6, $271
10: Eastern Redbud, 8, $302
11. Oriental Juniper, 14, $1,477
12. American Arbovitae, 4, $114
13. Sugar Maple, 18, $3,818
14. Silver Maple, 32, $4,343
15. American Arbovitae, 4, $114
16. Chinese Elm, 28, $2,956
17. Silver Maple, 24, $2,443
18. Tree of Heaven, 20, $1,131
19. Tulip Tree, 30, $8,483
20. Sugar Maple, 8, $754
21. Sugar Maple, 8, $754
22. Norway Spruce, 6, $424
23. Carolina Hemlock, 6, $424
24. Chinese Elm, 14, $738
25. Black Walnut, 16, $965
26. Eastern Redbud, 12, $678
27. Black Walnut, 16, $1,448
28. Black Walnut, 18, $1,832
29. Black Walnut, 28, $5,911
30. Elm, 26, $4,778
31. Green Ash, 26, $3,054
32. Sugar Maple, 6, $424
33. American Arbovitae (2), 4, $68 (each)
34. Elm, 14, $1,108
35. Oriental Juniper (2), 5, $238 (each)
36. Black Walnut, 18, $2,443
37. Black Walnut, 24, $4,343
38. Black Walnut, 16, $965
39. Sugar Maple, 6, $424
40. Black Walnut, 22, $1,824
41. Black Walnut, 22, $1,824
42. Sugar Maple, 6, $424
43. Sugar Maple, 6, $424
44. Silver Maple, 16, $1,085
45. Tulip Tree, 24, $5,428
