Street Tree Maintenance: How Much Should You Spend Now To Save Later?

Abstract

Reducing the maintenance costs associated with street trees may increase initial costs for preventive treatments. Three measures are described to help you decide if investments in preventive measures are justified by future savings in reduced maintenance: present discounted values, internal rates of return, and service-life extension values. The measure you use will depend on your objectives and on the funding and accounting practices and philosophy of your organization.