About the Program

The Heritage Tree Program is dedicated to the identification and preservation of heritage trees within the City of Wilmington, North Carolina. Heritage trees are those, which because of their age, rarity, grouping, overall beauty or historical significance represent an important aspect of the City’s history or natural landscape.

Specific objectives of the Program are:

1. To identify and catalogue “Heritage” trees within the City of Wilmington.
2. To increase public awareness and appreciation of the value of Heritage and other trees that may add to the beauty and ecology of the City’s natural and urban landscape.

Heritage Tree Committee

Member of the Heritage Tree Committee include the City’s Urban Arborist and members of the Wilmington Tree Commission.  The committee is responsible for setting specific criteria for designation, receiving nominations, maintaining the programs database of accepted trees and providing appropriate recognition to heritage tree owners.

The committee reports its activities to the Wilmington Tree Commission on a regular basis.

Heritage Tree Categories

• Specimen:  A tree of exceptional form or rarity
• Historical Significance:  A tree recognized by virtue of its association with or contribution to a historic structure, district or its association with a noted person or historic event
• Landmark:  Trees that are landmarks of the city of Wilmington
• Grouping:  Trees in a notable grove, avenue or other planting

General

To be considered for Heritage Tree status, a nomination for the tree must be submitted to the Wilmington Tree Commission with approval of the owner.  Final selection is determined by the Heritage Tree Committee.

Mail To:  Brion Capo, Urban Arborist
              City of Wilmington
              1702 Burnett Blvd     
              Wilmington, BC 28401