1. The Cost of
Not Maintaining Trees
Josh Behounek
573.673.7530
josh.behounek@davey.com
@treesrtheanswr

3. Two Types of Trees - Assets

4. Two Types of Trees - Liabilities

5. Assets
● Storm Water Interception
● Energy Conservation
● Pollution Control
● Quality of Life
● Reduce Crime
● Carbon Sequestration
● etc... etc… etc… etc...

6. Liabilities
● Sidewalk Damage
● Power Outages
● Clearance Issues
● Leaf/Branch Litter
● Maintenance
● Personal Injury
● Property Damage

9. Now What?

10. Three Options
1. Remove all Trees

11. Three Options
1. Remove all Trees
2. Maintain all Trees

12. Three Options
1. Remove all Trees
2. Maintain all Trees
3. “Bow-Tie Analysis”

13. Three Options
1. Remove all Trees
2. Maintain all Trees
3. “Bow-Tie Analysis”

16. Life Cycles

17. Life Cycles

18. Vogt 2014

19. Young Tree Maintenance (1-3 years)
1. Buy It
2. Plant It
3. Water It
4. Mulch It
5. Water It
6. Training Prune It
7. Water It

20. Young Baby Maintenance (1-5 years)
1. Make It
2. Carry It
3. Deliver It
4. Feed It
5. Diaper Change It
6. Stop Sleeping
7. Feed It

21. Established Tree Maintenance (3-60 years)
1. Monitor It - Annually
2. Prune It - 5 to 7 yrs
3. Assess It - 7 to 10 yrs

22. Established Person Maintenance (5-60 years)
1. Monitor It
2. Vaccines
3. Schooling
4. Life Coaching

23. Mature Tree Maintenance (60+ years)
1. Monitor It - Annually
2. Prune It - Frequently
3. Fertilize It
4. Pest Management
5. Removal

24. Mature People Maintenance (?+ years)
1. Monitor - Frequently
2. Feed
3. Nurse
4. Facilities
5. Funeral

28. Right Reason

29. Miracle Maples!

30. Miracle Maples!

31. “Expensive Trees”

32. Average Tree

33. Fine Fine
Get On With It!

37. Vogt 2015

40. 311 Calls vs. Needed Tree Maintenance

41. Risk Rating

45. Average Training Pruning Cost = $2.70/tree
Average Structural Pruning Cost Mature Tree = $44.59/tree
Total Cost = $48/tree
Trees NOT Training Pruned Cost $78 - $112 per tree
So Cost of NOT Training Pruning is $30 - $64 per tree
Ryder & Moore 2013

47. A Fit Forest Reduces Risk and Costs

48. Bottom Line: Reduce Risk and Get Results
● In fall of 2007, two separate 70 mph winds hit the city of Elgin in a 24
hour period. This event generated 130+ calls for assistance for streets
blocked, houses damaged, and other private property damages.
Three city tree crews and two contractor crews were mobilized to
respond to the calls over 7 day period.
● In February of 2010, ARRA funds were used to remove over 800 of
the highest liability trees identified on the assessment
● In fall of 2010, the city was struck with two 70+mph wind events in a
24 hour period. This storm was similar in nature to the event of 2007.
32 calls for assistance were received. Two city crews were able to
handle the event without contractor's assistance within 24 hours.