| Explore | From our observations of the 6 trees we sampled, we found several interesting trends. Generally, larger tree diameter and height seem to indicate more benefits to the environment (absorption of storm water, rise in property value, etc.). However, there appears to be exceptions according to the species of tree. The Heavenly Bamboo had the smallest diameter and had the lowest tree benefits, except for the property value, which was higher than the umbrella tree. The weeping fig also had a smaller diameter and height compared to the Monterey pine but was able to absorb more storm water. Some possible research ideas may be the effect of tree diameter, height, and type/species on benefits to the environment. |
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| Research Question | Is there a pattern or relationship between the diameter of (insert tree species) and the property values of homes in (insert zip code) in (insert city) near (insert land use type)? What is the formula that National Tree Benefit Calculator uses to calculate the property value? |
| Predictions | We predict that a greater diameter will be associated with a greater contribution to property value, because within the data we collected on our nature walks, there seemed to be a trend between large diameter and great contributions to property value. |
| Experimental Design | What is our plan? Our plan is to test different tree diameters on the National Tree Benefit Calculator and compare the resulting property value contribution estimates. What variables will we test? We are going to test how the diameter contributes to the property value. What variables will we measure and observe? What variables will we keep constant? How will we record our data? The diameter will be manipulated while the zip code, tree species, city, and land use type remain constant. We will record our data in a spreadsheet and calculate a line of regression. Step Process: The species of tree, zip code of the tree, city, and land use type will be determined by the researcher For this experiment, we will be using ***** (zip code of choice); Acacia, Bailey (species of tree); Carson, CA (city); and single-family residential (land-use type) Open tree benefit calculator and input ***** for zip code; Acacia, Bailey for species of tree; Single-family residential for land-use type. The diameter of the tree (between 1-45 inches) will be inputted. Experimenters will input in increments of 1, values for the diameter (ie. 1 in, 2 in, 3 in, etc). Press “Calculate” after inputting the values. Experimenters will record the estimated increase in property value under the “Property Value” tab (on tree benefits calculator) into a datasheet After recording the estimated increase in property value for diameters between 0-45 inches, the experimenters will plot a graph including the data points. The x-axis (independent variable) will be the diameter of the trees and the y-axis (dependent variable) will be the estimated increase in property value. A trend line (or line of best fit) will be generated by the use of google sheets/ excel to find the correlation between the diameter of trees and the estimated property values (is it closer to being linear? exponential?) Findings will be recorded in a detailed lab writeup including all data points and observed trends. |
| Investigation Theme | TREE |
| Grade Level | High School Students (Grades 9,10,11,12) |
| Teacher Name | Crystal Davis |
| School Name | California Academy of Mathematics and Science |
| Session | Spring 2021 |