The Contributory Value of Trees to Residential Property in the Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area

Two methods for predicting the value trees contribute to residential property value in the Austin, Texas metropolitan area were tested. The formula method, used by professional plantsmen, and the predictive-modeling method, using regression analysis, were used to predict the value of trees on 120 homesites. The value of the homes ranged from $30,000 to $600,000 and represented homes typical of the Austin, Texas area. Trees on all homesites were evaluated with the ISA formula method and given a dollar value. Independent variables representing the house and lot were used in the predictive modeling method to determine the value that the trees contribute to sales price. The value of the trees derived by the formula method was found to represent 13 percent of the actual sales price of homes while the value of trees derived by the predictive modeling method represented 19 percent.