value of trees

<<>> The value of trees is a misconception when it comes to home value. I completed an appraisal when the home owners just purchased an expensive tree. It was a $1500 tree.

My education and experience is in horticulture and residential appraising. Let me tell you why a tree will never increase your home value.

In no circumstances will a tree be valued in an appraisal. The only case you’ll ever see is the entire landscaping will be valued and the value will be contributory at best. This will be to compare homes with full landscaping and home with no landscaping at all.

The main reason why you should never expect value for your trees is because a typical home owner is not buying your home for the trees. Most buyers in the market can not tell your expensive tree from a less expensive tree. Most real estate appraisers can not tell your tree from another tree. The MLS database and the realtors involved will not be able to identify your tree from another tree.

So while you value trees, and you may understand the benefits of trees and specifically the one you bought, the majority of the market, the realtor, your appraiser and the entire MLS database is not set up to value your trees. There are so many other important criteria to consider that even if there is an adjustment for trees, they will not make a significant contribution to the overall value of your home.

Here is how the appraiser will value your trees. They will look at your landscaping and your trees and compare this with others homes in your market area. If the comparables have landscaping and trees and your home offers landscaping and trees, then they will be rates as similar.

My recommendation is to never, never buy a tree and think that this is a good investment for your home. Buy the tree because you like it. Make your home improvements because you like them. Think of what others will like in basic designs and easy care. This will allow you to sell your home at the highest price. But do not think for one minute that your appraiser can single out your special tree and give it value.