heritage tree campaign
celebrating Fort Worth's century of parks and 30 years as tree city USA

Join in Fort Worth's Treasured Tree Hunt

Fort Worth has been going “green” long before the terminology even existed. The City enjoys a rich tradition of urban forestry, ever since 1873, when the City charter declared it illegal to hitch a horse to a tree. Fort Worth hired its first city arborist in the 1920s and achieved Tree City USA status in 1979.

 In the spirit of this green legacy, the Forestry Section of the Parks and Community Services Department proudly announces the Heritage Tree Campaign. Fort Worth residents and tree enthusiasts from all walks of life are invited to nominate their cherished trees for heritage designation.

The Heritage Tree Campaign will help foster an appreciation of trees, and promote public awareness that heritage trees are a living and distinct resource of the Fort Worth community.

To be considered, the trees must grow within Fort Worth city limits and meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Possess unusual size, age, species significance or other characteristic that contributes to its heritage status. The state co-champion mesquite at Will Rogers Coliseum is one example.

•  Be located on an historic site such as the Trader’s Oak or contribute to the history of a site like the Turner Oak.

•   Enjoy notoriety such as the I-30 homeless Christmas tree.

•  Serve as a well known landmark like the Martel Ave. and Oakland Blvd. pecan trees or the White Settlement Dr. live oaks.

• Contribute to significant community ties such as the trees growing in the middle of Crestwood Drive.

At the 2009 Arbor Day ceremony, in honor of the Parks and Community Services 100^th birthday and Fort Worth’s 30^th consecutive year as Tree City USA, the Forestry Section will announce the trees that have met the criteria for heritage designation, and invite their nominators as special guests of honor.

Nominations are due Thursday, March 12, 2009.  Download your nomination forms or call the Forestry Section at 817-871-5738.

For more information contact Melanie.Migura@fortworthgov.org,