When should the Trunk Formula Method (TFM) be utilized?

The Trunk Formula Method (TFM) is specifically designed to estimate the value of large trees that are not practical to replace due to their size, age, or ecological significance. This method allows arborists and urban foresters to assess the monetary value of these mature trees based on factors like trunk diameter, tree height, and species. For trees that are too large to be easily replaced, the TFM provides a systematic approach to quantify their worth, which can be crucial for management decisions, conservation efforts, and urban planning.

Using TFM for smaller trees would not be advantageous because their value is often easily determined through simpler valuation methods that take into account their lower replacement costs. Similarly, assessing disease or calculating soil health requires different methodologies and metrics that do not involve the valuation of tree trunks. Thus, the focus of TFM on large, irreplaceable trees reinforces its applicability in situations where their environmental and economic contributions need to be recognized and documented.