Heritage Tree Program

The City of Xenia Tree Committee, a subcommittee of the Board for Recreation, Arts and Cultural Activities (BRACA) has developed a Heritage Tree Program for the purpose of identifying designated Heritage Trees located within the City.  This Program, which was launched at the April 2012 Arbor Day event, provides opportunities for Xenia residents to honor trees that are located on public or private property for their unique history, shape, size, beauty and specie.  The program is also a way to acknowledge trees as unique living resources of the community.

The Tree Committee is inviting Xenia residents to submit their nominations to honor their favorite trees.  This is an opportune time to submit the nominations since the trees have foliage.  Nominations for Heritage Tree designation can be trees located either on public property, such as street trees, park trees, median trees, or on private property and may be made by any resident, property owner or business owner of Xenia.  All nominations must include consent of the property owner.  Criteria for nominations include size, shape, specie, beauty and shape, or a tree may be associated with important local or regional history, people, structures, or landscapes. The criteria are described on the City of Xenia website at www.ci.xenia.oh.us, search Heritage Tree Program.

Mayor Marsha Bayless supports the Xenia Heritage Tree Program, stating “this simple act of recognizing the significant trees in Xenia will help celebrate trees that are so important in creating beautiful urban landscape and safe and comfortable environment for our town.”   Councilman Wes Smith who chairs BRACA echoes this sentiment and encourages people to submit nominations.

The Xenia Tree Committee will review the nominations submitted this year.  Trees that are approved for inclusion in the Tree Heritage Official Registry will be announced at next year’s Arbor Day Event and will be posted at the Xenia Website.