The city of Philomath’s Heritage Tree Committee is seeking nominations from the public for trees to be recognized in the program.
The program was established in 2022 “to recognize, foster appreciation of and honor particular trees of significance in our community,” the city describes on its website. “These are trees that tell a story; confound and astound; educate locals and visitors about significant people or events from the past; have survived natural disasters; and stand as silent sentries to the passage of time.”
Nomination forms will be accepted until 5 p.m. March 17.
According to the city, a Heritage Tree must meet at least one of the following criteria:
• Specimen — Exceptional size, form, beauty, rarity or horticultural value.
• Historic — Recognized by virtue of age, or associated with noted person or historical event.
• Landmark — Recognizable landmark in the community.
• Collection — Notable grove, avenue or planting.
Trees within the greater Philomath area, which includes the city’s urban growth boundary, are eligible to be nominated.
Current Heritage Trees include the giant sequoia that serves as the community’s Christmas tree in front of the Philomath Museum, a black cottonwood found at the south end of Ninth Street at the Marys River, a white oak along Grange Hall Road, a deodar cedar on the corner of Applegate and South 15th, a big leaf maple located in the northeast section of Mount Union Cemetery and a ponderosa pine in the 200 block of North Seventh Street.
An American elm that had been located along Applegate Street in front of Philomath Community Library was also designated as a Heritage Tree but it was removed recently because of Dutch elm disease.
For details on Heritage Tree eligibility, including criteria and submission requirements, see the program’s web page.