When a wildfire destroys a home, most of the attention and insurance coverage focuses on structural damage. Walls, roofs, and interior finishes take priority. But what about the loss of trees, native vegetation, ornamental landscaping, and established plant material that was also destroyed in the fire?
Based on our work across dozens of post-wildfire properties, one consistent pattern continues to emerge. Landscape value is frequently overlooked, under documented, or completely omitted from insurance claims and legal settlements
That missing valuation can translate into tens of thousands of dollars, and in severe fire loss cases, even hundreds of thousands of dollars that property owners never recover.
Why Certified Landscape Appraisals Matter
Trees and landscape assets carry real, measurable financial value under the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers CTLA valuation methodology. However, unless a licensed consulting arborist prepares a formal appraisal, that value is rarely recognized by insurance carriers.
At CalEco Arborists, we specialize in certified fire loss landscape appraisal reports for wildfire damaged properties. These reports are not only critical for insurance recovery, but are frequently used in litigation, mediation, and settlement negotiations involving culpable wildfires and utility related fire events.
Without a certified arborist appraisal, the financial impact of tree and landscape loss is often permanently left out of the claim.
Why Landscape Value Is Often Missed in Wildfire Claims
Many homeowners, and even experienced public adjusters, are unaware that trees and landscaping have quantifiable market value under CTLA guidelines. Insurance companies typically send adjusters trained to assess building materials and personal property. They are not licensed arborists and are not qualified to perform tree or landscape valuation.
As a result, property owners are left under compensated when no formal documentation exists to establish the pre fire value of the living landscape that was lost.
Without a certified landscape appraisal, those losses remain invisible in the claims process.
What a Certified Landscape Appraisal Includes
At CalEco Arborists, we prepare certified fire loss landscape appraisal reports specifically designed for insurance claims and legal proceedings following wildfires.
Our appraisal reports include:
- Site visit and photo documentation, even when properties have been fully cleared
- CTLA based valuation of trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants
- Expert witness statements for attorneys and legal teams when required
- A certified arborist report with valuation tables, maps, and supporting evidence
We have helped homeowners and attorneys recover six figure settlements by accurately quantifying the value of trees and landscape assets that were destroyed, and presenting that value in a format that holds up under legal and insurance scrutiny.
Real Example
One homeowner in Altadena had their entire property cleared following a wildfire. Their insurance policy initially offered a flat and minimal landscape reimbursement for damaged trees.
After our certified arborist appraisal documented the quantity, species, size, and CTLA value of the trees that were lost, the homeowner was able to pursue a claim for more than one hundred thousand dollars in additional landscape value.
That recovery would not have been possible without a formal fire loss landscape appraisal.
Bottom Line
If you are navigating wildfire recovery, whether as a homeowner, attorney, or public adjuster, do not overlook the trees.
They hold substantial financial value.
They can be professionally appraised.
And we can prove it.
If your property was impacted by wildfire, don’t leave landscape value undocumented. A certified appraisal can make the difference.
