Heritage Tree Nominations

Definition of Heritage Tree

Heritage Trees shall be recognized due to their involvement or inclusion in the development of landscape architecture, forestry, city planning, and culture. They are recognized due to their species, unique features, age, size, setting, design placement, link to important events or activities, location, or persons associated with them. 

Nomination PROCESS

This program is voluntary and carries no regulatory component. Any person may nominate a tree or trees as a Heritage Tree using the form prepared by the City. Nominations shall be submitted to the Planning Division and will be accepted throughout the year. Planning staff will review nominations at the time of submittal to determine if criteria can be met and shall be referred to the Heritage Tree Committee, a subcommittee of the Art’s Culture and Heritage Commission (ACHC), within two months of submittal. Recognized Heritage Trees will be celebrated and plaques placed as part of the annual Arbor Day celebration. As such, nominations made after January 15th of any given year, and designated as a Heritage Tree, will be celebrated during the following year’s celebration.

If the nominated tree is located on private property, the nomination form shall be submitted by the property owner or accompanied by the property owner’s written consent, and the tree should be clearly visible from the public way. If the proposed Heritage Tree is on public property, the nomination shall be forwarded to the department responsible for use and/or maintenance of the property for review and recommendation prior to consideration.

Once the Planning Division and other relevant City Departments have reviewed the nomination and confirm it meets the Heritage Tree criteria, staff will present any recommended Heritage Tree nominations to the Heritage Tree Committee in a public meeting and the person who nominated the tree(s) will have an opportunity to provide comments to the Committee.

DESIGNATION AND RECOGNITION

The Heritage Tree Committee shall meet in a public meeting, typically as part of or directly following an ACHC meeting, to review nominations as recommended by Staff Advisors and designate qualified trees as Heritage Trees. 

Upon designation by the Heritage Tree Committee a small Heritage Tree plaque identifying the species and significance shall be furnished by the City to the property owner of a designated Heritage Tree. When possible, the Heritage Tree plaque shall be presented or unveiled at the City’s Arbor Day Celebration. The plaque shall be posted at a location at or near the tree in public view.