Monetary Valuation of Heritage Trees in Central European Cultural Landscapes

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.