Obtaining unit values through the type-trees method for urban trees appraisal: application in Santiago del Estero (Argentina) and Madrid (Spain)

Abstract

This work presents a tool for assessing urban trees which allows getting two basic requirements in public management: reduction of costs and simplicity. For this purpose, a methodology based on a multivariate statistical analysis is presented. It allows establishing type-trees in urban trees areas representing and grouping homogenous species and dasometric characteristics simultaneously. Field work was carried out in two different locations: the city of Santiago del Estero (Argentina) and the Arboretum of Madrid Forestry Engineering School (Spain). The methodology groups the trees together in tree groups through the discriminant analysis technique. For each group, the most frequent species in Santiago del Estero were: Citrus auriantum, Tabebuia impetiginosa and Tipuana tipu. In Madrid they were the Ligustrum japonicum, Platanus x hybrida and Populus alba var. bolleana. One type-tree per group was determined, which was representative of all urban trees of that group. The economic value of each type-tree was calculated for each area by the capitalization method. Their unit value is the appraised value of the specimen per unit size. The price per unit of size can be applied to any urban tree in its group, allowing a quick calculation of its basic economic value, low cost and applicable to most valuation formulas. The methodology described allows simplifying the calculation of the economic value of urban trees located in different locations.