So you think that the valuation an appraiser gives on a house is what the house will get at auction
Think not!
Trees are assets just lilke buildings/cars etc... they are valued using remarkably similar formula, the fact that you might disagree with the way the values put into the formula are derived is fine it doesn't change anything in terms of the logic to the various methods of tree valuation. by introducing the market into the discussion you are confusing things....these living assets are never actually going to be sold (unless they're transplanted! and then whoooaa look out $$$$$'s)