Heritage tree

Comfort Maple, in Pelham, Ontario

A heritage tree is typically a large, individual tree with unique value, which is considered irreplaceable. The major criteria for heritage tree designation are age, rarity, and size, as well as aesthetic, botanical, ecological, and historical value.^[1] Heritage tree ordinances are developed to place limits upon the removal of these trees; the ordinances are oriented towards a specific tree, not a woodland.^[2] Heritage trees in Singapore are protected by law under the Heritage Trees Scheme adopted on 17 August 2001. The oak is depicted as England's heritage tree.^[3]

Heritage Tamarind, Quezon City

In the US, the first state-sponsored heritage tree program began in 1995 in Oregon with the Giant Sitka Spruce.^[4] In Iowa, the Living Heritage Tree Museum contains descendants of famous trees.^[5] In the state of Washington, there are several categories of heritage trees, such as Historical, Specimen, Rare, or Significant Grove.^[6]

The city of Portland, Oregon maintains a database of trees designated as heritage trees.^[7]

Examples of heritage and named trees

^[8]

• Ankerwycke Yew, Berkshire
• Bellmount Ancient Burry Oak, Belton Park, Lincolnshire
• The Royal Oak, Richmond Park
• Ancient Yew, St Helen's Church, Darley Dale, Derbyshire
• Linton Yew, Herefordshire
• Newton's Apple, Woolsthorpe Manor, Lincolnshire
• Fraternal Four, Borrowdale
• Waterloo Beech at Lowther

Social and cultural significance

Incorporating the social and cultural significance of large ancient trees into conservation policies

Beyond their ecological functions, ancient trees are also considered to possess significant social and cultural value. Some studies indicate that ancient trees not only provide humanity with material resources such as timber and fruit, but also play important roles in religion, aesthetics, history, and local culture.

In many regions, ancient trees are closely associated with myths, legends, and traditional festivals, often seen as symbols of community memory and identity. For example, in Lao, Isan, and Turkic cultures, trees are depicted as world trees or cosmic connectors, linking heaven and earth with the underworld, symbolizing prosperity, protection, and ancestral memories.^{[9][10][11][12]}

Indian and Japanese traditions associate specific trees with the cycle of life, death, and reincarnation, while Slavic and Central Asian mythology emphasizes trees as sources of healing, creation, and protection.^[13]

Scholars suggest that when formulating policies and laws for the protection of heritage trees, these social and cultural values ​​should be considered simultaneously in order to promote public participation and enhance the overall benefits of ecological protection.^[14][15]

Establish common standards for determining the status of ancient trees

Some researchers are attempting to establish common cross-regional standards for the identification of ancient trees.^[16] These standards are typically based on the historical, cultural, and natural characteristics of ancient trees to reflect their comprehensive value.

Heritage tree preservation in the UK

Tree Preservation Order

The Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation Order and Trees in Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Regulations 2010 ^[17]

Without prejudice to subsection (7) of section 198(1) (power to make tree preservation orders) or subsection (1) of section 200(2) (tree preservation orders: Forestry Commissioners) and, subject to the exceptions in regulation 14, no person shall—

(a)cut down;

(b)top;

(c)lop;

(d)uproot;

(e)wilfully damage; or

(f)wilfully destroy,

any tree to which an order relates, or shall cause or permit the carrying out of any of the activities in sub-paragraphs (a) to (f) to such a tree, except with the written consent of the authority and, where such consent is given subject to conditions, in accordance with those conditions.^[18]

Relevant laws

The law on Tree Preservation Orders is in Part VIII of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended and in the Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation) (England) Regulations 2012 which came into force on 6 April 2012. Section 192 of the Planning Act 2008 made further amendments to the 1990 Act which allowed for the transfer of provisions from within existing Tree Preservation Orders to regulations. Part 6 of the Localism Act 2011 amended section 210 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 concerning time limits for proceedings in regard to non-compliance with Tree Preservation Order regulations.^[19]

References

1. Coates, Peter A. (2006). American Perceptions of Immigrant And Invasive Species: Strangers on the Land. University of California Press. pp. 140–. ISBN 978-0-520-24930-1. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
2. Giusti, Gregory A. (2005). A Planner's Guide For Oak Woodlands. ANR Publications. pp. 90–91. ISBN 978-1-879906-75-4. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
3. Waterton, Emma; Watson, Steve (31 May 2010). Culture, Heritage and Representation: Perspectives on Visuality and the Past. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. pp. 152–. ISBN 978-0-7546-7598-3. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
4. Barnes, Christine (30 May 2004). Only in Oregon: Natural and Manmade Landmarks and Oddities. Farcountry Press. pp. 10–. ISBN 978-1-56037-292-9. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
5. Jones, Eric; Coffey, Dan; Thorkelson, Berit (10 November 2009). Iowa Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff. Globe Pequot. pp. 195–. ISBN 978-0-7627-5419-9. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
6. Nolon, John R. (1 May 2003). Open Ground: Effective Local Strategies for Protecting Natural Resources. Environmental Law Institute. pp. 441–. ISBN 978-1-58576-055-8. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
7. Urban Forestry | The City of Portland, Oregon
8. "Heritage and named trees". Ancient Tree Forum. 2015-02-24. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
9. Bouphapanya, Souliya; Hongsuwan, Pathom (2024-07-30). "Trees in Lao Myths and Beliefs: Roles and Symbolic Ecological Meanings through the Aspects of Folklore". Journal of Ecohumanism. 3 (4): 834–845. doi:10.62754/joe.v3i4.3590. ISSN 2752-6801.
10. Sadigli, Parinaz (2024-04-25). "The Cult of Tree in the Culture of the Turkic Peoples". Akademik Tarih ve Dusunce Dergisi. doi:10.46868/atdd.2024.744. ISSN 2148-2292.
11. Sarbasov, Zh.; Kdyralieva, Z. (2020-12-09). "The Image of a Tree in Ancient Literary Heritage". Bulletin Series of Philological Sciences. 74 (4): 311–314. doi:10.51889/2020-4.1728-7804.63.
12. Sornsena, Surasak; Apirating, Preechawut; Suksamran, Sipp (2021-05-10). "The Beliefs and Aesthetics of Isaan Heritage Trees". Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies. 10 (3): 158. doi:10.36941/ajis-2021-0072. ISSN 2281-4612.
13. Kaur, Manmeet (2025-05-15). "Trees of Eternity: A Study of Pīpala and Matsu in Indian and Japanese Death Beliefs". Journal of Japanese Studies: Exploring Multidisciplinarity. 3: 1–14. doi:10.55156/jjsem.Dec2401.
14. Blicharska, Malgorzata; Mikusiński, Grzegorz (December 2014). "Incorporating Social and Cultural Significance of Large Old Trees in Conservation Policy". Conservation Biology. 28 (6): 1558–1567. doi:10.1111/cobi.12341. ISSN 0888-8892. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
15. Maleknia, Rahim; Heindorf, Claudia; Rahimian, Mehdi; Saadatmanesh, Reza (June 2024). "Do generational differences determine the conservation intention and behavior towards sacred trees?". Trees, Forests and People. 16 100591. doi:10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100591.
16. Ritchie, Myles; Szuster, Brian; Kaufman, Andrew (2021-04-03). "Establishing consensus criteria for determining heritage tree status". Arboricultural Journal. 43 (2): 73–92. doi:10.1080/03071375.2020.1814655. ISSN 0307-1375.
17. "File:The Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation Order and Trees in Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Regulations 2010 (SSI 2010-434).pdf - Wikipedia" (PDF). commons.wikimedia.org. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
18. "The Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation)(England) Regulations 2012". www.legislation.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 2025-06-15. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
19. "Tree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2025-11-07.