Price tagging trees

A eucalyptus tree in a south Tel Aviv parking lot has a hefty price tag of half a million shekels after it was appraised by the Tel Aviv Municipality and the Agriculture Ministry recently. Both the municipality and ministry have been appraising mature trees located in urban areas where construction projects are planned before they are cut down or transplanted. The eucalyptus tree stands on the route planned for a light rail system in the city and it was decided the tree had to go. By setting a replacement value on trees before they are chopped down, the companies in charge of construction will be required to compensate by planting new trees in their place.