Monetary valuation using urban tree appraisals can be performed with formulas, a common practice in many countries. This study compares twelve parametric type formulas: Amenity Valuation of Tree and Woodlands (Helliwell), Standard Tree Evaluation Method (STEM), French Method, Italian Method, Tedesco, Norma Granada, Trunk Replacement Formula (CTLA), Burnley Method, Danish Method, Swiss Method, and two Chilean formulas used in Municipalities of Concepción, La Pintana, and Maipú (COPIMA Method), and Peñalolén Method. Formulas were then applied to 30 trees located in Santiago, Talca and Concepción, Chile.Researchers used eight appraisers divided into two groups, according to senior-level and junior-level experience. Statistical differences were determined using the Kruskal-Wallis test of non-parametric variance, while Fisher’s least significant difference test was used to identify homogeneous groups. The results show a wide dispersion of values that were high for “emblematic” trees and low for young or low-vigor trees.Formula, type of appraisers, and inter-appraiser differences formed nine, two, and three groups, respectively. The lowest-appraised trees were obtained using the Danish and French Method, while the highest values were obtained with the Burnley, Helliwell, and STEM formulas. Although there were differences in tree value according to the type of appraiser, when comparing difference among appraisers, researchers found these were not due to experience level. Given the wide range of values found, the study authors cannot recommend any specific formula(s) for assessing urban trees, as results will depend on the variables of interest used in the formulas and their intended application and use.

Cuatro métodos de evaluación visual del riesgo se aplicaron en 30 árboles urbanos con niveles de riesgo en la ciudad de Talca (Chile). Los métodos utilizados fueron: “Avaliação de árvores de risco na arborização de vias públicas de Nova Olímpia” (método Sampaio), “Internation Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Matheny y Clark” (método ISA[A]), “Best Management Practice BMP/ISA” (método ISA[B]) y “Urban tree risk management USDA Forest Service” (método USF). Los resultados fueron estandarizados para su análisis estadístico, se encontraron diferencias significativas y variaciones en los métodos al aplicar el test no paramétrico de Kruskal-Wallis y de Duncan. Se conformaron tres grupos: los métodos Sampaio y USF, que presentaron evaluaciones con riesgo muy alto y alto, respectivamente; el segundo, conformado por USF e ISA(A), presentó evaluaciones de alto a medio riesgo; mientras que un tercer grupo lo conformó ISA(B), con evaluaciones de riesgo bajo. Ya que la ciudad de Talca no cuenta con una metodología propia, se sugiere usar en el área mediterránea de Chile el método ISA(A) o USF, ya que fueron los métodos que presentaron una mejor adecuación a las condiciones locales.

Ponce-Donoso, M (reprint author), Univ Talca, Fac Ciencias Forestales, Casilla 747, Talca, Chile.The appraisal of urban trees is a practice adopted in diverse cities of world. This survey compared international formulae: Council of Tree Landscape Appraiser (CTLA), Burnley, Helliwell and Standard Tree Evaluation Method (STEM) and three Chilean methods applied in municipalities of Concepcion, La Pintana, Maip (COPIMA), Nunoa and Penalolen, in 14 different trees located in Talca city (Chile). The objective was to identify the differences and similarities of the monetary result in the application of these formulae, which was realized by a professional. These were analyzed using a non parametric variance test of Kruskal - Wallis and the multiple comparisons Duncan test. It was possible to determine that the Chilean formulae did not present statistically significant differences with the international formulae of Burnley and CTLA; whereas Penalolen and COPIMA formulae did not present any difference when contrasted with Helliwell. In addition, the STEM formula presented differences with all the Chilean analyzed formulae. In the valuation by tree, statistically significant differences were obtained, which showed the independence of the used formula. The exception was when being applied to emblematic species or to species that stand-out in some amenity. Likewise, it was observed that the basic value continues having a high impact in the appraisal final result and the use of the statistical test applied allows extending this type of analyses

The risk assessment of urban trees is a challenge that must be addressed by many cities, in consideration of their climatology, management and spatial heterogeneity. Since these trees are in stages of aging, added to bad practices, inadequate selection and establishment, amongst others, their early elimination, and hence the loss of the ecosystem services they provide, is being promoted. For this reason, two tree risk assessment methods were developed to be applied in a complementary manner in urban parks, one basic visual (BV) and the other detailed visual (DV), both structured with the components of likelihood of failure, likelihood of impact, consequence and risk rating, being analyzed qualitatively and semi quantitatively. The methods were applied in 24 trees of Eucalyptus and Tipuana genus by two groups of assessors, experienced and inexperienced, totaling 192 assessments. Results were analyzed with a linear mixed model (LMM), which showed differences between both methods for the likelihood of failure, where the assessment of branches turned out to be the attribute with the highest impact. The methods proved to be suitable to be used in a complementary manner, since BV turns out to be efficient when it is necessary to assess a large number of trees. DV turned out to be more effective, since it was able to identify more precisely the attributes of the tree that must be considered for adequate risk mitigation and management. Therefore, their combined use is recommended for risk assessment in trees established in parks.

Risk assessment of urban trees is an incipient practice in Latin America, generally performed with foreign methods, due to the lack of qualified personnel and locally validated or adapted methodology. This article evaluates the application of three methods on street trees in Montevideo city, Uruguay: Tree Hazard Risk Evaluation and Treatment System (THREATS), Quantified Tree Risk Assessment (QTRA) and Best Management Practices - Tree Risk Assessment (ISA BMP). Three assessors with similar experience applied three methods in 36 trees of three widely used genera, totaling 324 assessments and 1,296 data. The methods were decomposed into the components: Likelihood of Failure, Likelihood of Impact, Consequence and Risk Rating. The data were statistically analyzed through a generalized linear mixed model (p<0.05), for the factors: assessor, method, genus, and their interactions. Results showed no significant differences among assessors, but there were differences among methods, specifically for the Likelihood of Impact and Risk Rating components. The ISA BMP method presented higher means in these last two components. Still, this method is suggested for street trees in Montevideo until a more appropriate method is adapted or developed for local conditions. Highlights No significant differences were found among assessors, which encourages standard training for all assessors. The ISA BMP method presented the highest results for the likelihood of impact and risk rating. Target occupation rate influenced differences among genera found for the likelihood of impact component. The ISA BMP method is suggested for street trees risk assessment in Montevideo, until a method is adapted or developed. The absence of descriptors and categorizations, as well as the application time, need to be improved.

Se estudió el efecto en la productividad de la elaboración de blanks a partir de la implementación de un modelo de incentivo salarial del tipo Improshare, dirigido al personal de una empresa chilena de remanufacturado de maderera que produce molduras y marcos de puerta (ayudante, operador medio y operador máster), para lo cual se compararon dos periodos de tiempo, antes (19 meses) y después (21 meses) de la implementación de la política de incentivo. Los resultados mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la productividad lograda entre periodos que superó el 10%. Se midió el beneficio promedio de la remuneración de los trabajadores, que llegó a más del 10% y el ahorro de la empresa llegó al 4,6% de la unidad monetaria definida, sin que se haya visto afectada la tasa de accidentabilidad. Lo anterior refuerza lo señalado por diferentes autores que concuerdan que este tipo de herramientas contribuye a mejorar la productividad del proceso e incrementar el salario del trabajador. Su implementación como política salarial en la industria maderera, aporta significativamente a los desafíos de una organización por mantenerse competitiva, así como mejorar la remuneración del trabajador en base a una relación de beneficio mutuo con la empresa. AbstractWe studied the effect on productivity resulting in the blanks elaboration from the implementation of a salary incentive model of Improshare type for staff working group in a sawnwood mill company producer remanufacturing moldings and door frames (assistant, operator and operator master), for which two time periods were compared, before (19 months) and after (21 months) of incentive policy implementation. The results show statistically significant differences in the productivity between periods, of more than 10%. The average benefit of the workers compensation was measured, it reached more than 10% and the savings to the company reached 4,6% of defined monetary unit, without affecting the accident rate. This reinforces the point made by different authors that this kind of tool improves the productivity of the process and increases wages. Its implementation as compensation policy in the lumber industry contributes significantly to the challenges that an organization faces to remain competitive and improve workers compensation based on a mutually beneficial relationship with the company.