The Most Misunderstood Component

February 1, 2022

The most misunderstood component in a consulting assignment is fertilizers and fertilization. Of course, there are many other components, such as  wrongful death and personal injury assignments that inculcate differences from breach of contract or negligence in the marketplace disputes. But the most misunderstood component of fertilizers and fertilization is especially true of landscape architects […]

Continue reading

Valuing Trees: Net Perspective

January 18, 2022

Valuing trees: Net perspective Insurance adjusters and attorneys, not to mention arborists, are often confronted with a tree or plant that is not yet ready for the open marketplace and resultant comparable pricing. It has value, but how to value it becomes the question. I was involved in such a case. Several thousand trees that […]

Continue reading

Appraisal: Nursery/Tree Farm

January 11, 2022

Appraisal: Nursery/Tree Farm The most difficult assignment for an arborist or other professional appraiser is evaluating  a nursery or tree farm, and the required expertise is exponentially greater if business damages are involved. Further, if the assignment falls under eminent domain, an even greater degree of expertise is required. Nursery and tree farm appraisals are […]

Continue reading

Trees or Cut Timber?

January 4, 2022

Trees or Cut Timber? In this matter, a new consultant to tree appraisals found herself across from me in an assignment regarding the cutting of trees without permission, and a trespass. A logger clear-cut 10 acres of standing pine trees on a property that did not belong to his client. A misunderstanding at best. A […]

Continue reading

The Settlement Mystery of Trees and Landscapes

December 14, 2021

The Settlement Mystery of Trees and Landscapes Nothing evokes frustration, anger, and other awkward reactionary behavior like a claim for trees or landscapes. Something unexplainable occurs when the subject of appraising trees and landscapes occurs. The same thing happens in legal disputes. Pros simply don’t know how to approach just compensation regarding trees and landscapes. […]

Continue reading

Coconuts, Palm Trees, & Personal Injury

December 7, 2021

Coconuts, Palm Trees, & Personal Injury: Landscape Architects Beware! Palm trees are the poster child for anything tropical. They muster the emotions of going on vacation to an expensive island where grapes will be popped into the visitor’s mouth. Rum drinks and sunsets. Parrots and blue waters. And personal injury, and lawsuits. No other regional […]

Continue reading

Trees Used as Spite Fences

November 30, 2021

Did you know that trees are often used as “spite fences”? They’re a beautiful amenity, until they are not. The shade they provide often is an encumbrance, especially to a neighbor trying to grow a vegetable garden. The shade is also most welcome until the leaves and branches start falling onto a neighbor’s property. A […]

Continue reading

Limbs and trees fail …

November 16, 2021

Limbs and trees fail. It happens all the time as a natural process of nature, and it’s a good thing, unless there is somebody or something under the limb or the tree. When that occurs, it is seldom viewed as an accident by the person who was the object of stopping gravity or their surviving […]

Continue reading

Way Down Upon a Deadly River …

November 5, 2021

Way down upon a deadly river – a canoe trip and a fallen tree create a sudden and sad ending for a traveler. What better way to spend a lazy afternoon than a downstream trip in a canoe on one of Florida’s many scenic rivers. Beautiful weather 12 months a year. Well-maintained state parks. Crystal-clear […]

Continue reading

Beyond the Landmark Court Case, Daubert

October 12, 2021

It is not necessary that you be a testifying expert well credentialed in a particular subject matter or a marquee consultant known across the land for your brilliance. However, you should have at least a passing knowledge of the landmark court case, Daubert (versus Merrill Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc.). Daubert is a United States Supreme Court […]

Continue reading