Heritage Tree Designation

In order to protect significant trees within the city, the city has established the heritage tree designation. A heritage tree may be designated by resolution of city council at the request of the Tree Board. The property owner has to consent to the designation, in writing, before the heritage tree is designated. Heritage trees may be located on public or private property. A heritage tree may lose its designation upon the written consent of the property owner to the Public Works Director who will notify the Tree Board of the request.

Criteria. A tree has to meet one of the following criteria in order to be designated as a heritage tree:

It has reached its mature growth as specified in Hortus Second, compiled by L. H. Bailey and Ethel Zoe Bailey, Macmillan Co., N.Y., 1941, and Carolina Landscape Plants, by R. Gordon Halfacre, Sparks Press, Raleigh, N.C., 1971.
It is listed as a Champion Big Tree, as designated by the state division of forest resources.
It has significant historic value to the community.
It is a rare species, or provides a habitat for rare species of plants, animals or birds.
A designated heritage cannot be trimmed, cut or removed without prior written notice of 30 days to the director of public works.

It is the responsibility of the Tree Board to locate and identify heritage trees through the assistance of appropriate civic groups and, with the consent of any owners, may designate such trees by marker or device. A designated heritage cannot be trimmed, cut or removed without prior written notice of 30 days to the director of public works.

If you are interested in having a significant tree considered for designation as a heritage tree, you may obtain an application Heritage Tree Application [PDF] from the Public Works Department. A list of designated heritage trees and their location is available at the City Clerk's office.

City of Hendersonville - Heritage Tree Map [PDF]

City of Hendersonville Heritage Tree Storymap