Work

Monetary Valuation of Heritage Trees in Central European Cultural Landscapes

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Heritage trees combine ecological importance with historical, symbolic, and commemorative meanings. We identified 81 culturally significant trees in four study areas in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and recorded their dendrometric characteristics, health, vitality, and cultural associations. The data were evaluated using the KULHOS application, which derives biological and cultural value indices and converts them into monetary estimates. The sample included both large old trees and younger commemorative specimens in settlement and non-settlement contexts. Estimated values varied considerably, with the highest value of EUR 377,288 assigned to the pedunculate oak Hromův dub. Monetary assessment may thus provide an additional tool for sustainable conservation of heritage trees across different cultural landscapes.

Source: Forests

DOI: 10.3390/f17101138

Authors: Ivo Machar, Vilem Pechanec, Martin Schlossarek

Institution: Palacký University Olomouc

Language: English

Topic: Urban Arborization and Environmental Studies

Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137