East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana 7/15/96

 

An Ordinance creating the Tree Registry of Ancient, Historic and Unique Trees

 

Program Statement:

The City Master Plan, the "Horizon Plan" sets forth principles for planning for the wise use

of land and natural resources in East Baton Rouge Parish Louisiana. Part of this planning

activity involves educational programs that would promote the wise use of land.

In an effort to improve public awareness and attitudes regarding the importance of trees and

their environment to this community, this program will enlist public participation in

identifying those trees which, by virtue of their size, age, historic significance, or other

uniqueness, can be recognized as being the most noteworthy representatives of their kind in East

Baton Rouge Parish. It is further expected that the recognition and attendant notoriety will

provide for the enhanced protection of these, and ultimately other, trees in our community.

 

 

Purpose:

By calling attention to "special" members of the EBR tree community, and by enlisting the public

in the identification process, the program will create a direct link between the recognized trees

and the human or cultural community. The ultimate purpose of the program is to use this linkage

as a means of encouraging the protection of these important trees. Through the process of

educating the tree owners and others, it will teach the methodologies of tree preservation in

order to create and insure a future tree legacy for the parish and to build upon past efforts.

By using ancient, historic and unique trees as examples, we can stimulate a greater understanding

of trees and their importance to the community and perhaps encourage an informed public to plant

trees for future generations to enjoy.

 

Definitions:

 

1. Ancient Tree: A tree (or grove) which, based upon its size (or from reliable documentation)

can be assumed to be a minimum of 100 years of age. The Tree Commission will develop a species

listing detailing minimum sizes for each.

 

2. Historical Tree: A tree (or grove) which, by means of acceptable documentary evidence, can be

shown to be of special historic importance by virtue to some connection to a historic or notably

important event, person, place, or occasion of significance to East Baton Rouge Parish or the

State of Louisiana.

 

3. Unique Tree: A tree (or grove) which is recognized for a unique quality or qualities which

make it recognizably special. Determinants include the only known member of a species,

exceptional physical character, aesthetic value, or some similar factor or combination of factors

 

4. Bicentennial Oak: An oak tree which has previously been recognized by the Bicentennial Oaks

program, which was administered by the LSU Department of Forestry in the period 1974-76. These

trees are automatically entered into the Registry.

 

5. Legacy Oak: A Live Oak previously recognized by the City-Parish Legacy Oaks program in the

period 1977-79. These trees are automatically entered into the Registry.

 

6. Resident Members of the Louisiana Live Oak Society: Those trees which are members of the

Louisiana Live Oak Society and which reside in East Baton Rouge Parish shall automatically be

entered into the Registry.

 

 

1. Standards for acceptance into the Registery for each category:

 

A. Ancient:

- Minimum size (circumference at Breast Height) for each Species. (Live Oak 17'-0" cbh) The Tree

Commission will develop a Species list including minimum acceptable sizes for each species.

- Species listing to include all major native trees and all exotic ornamentals which can be

classified as a long-lived species with a minimum expected life span of 50 to 75 years. Short

lived species (e.g. Chinese Tallow, Bradford Pear, etc.) shall not be considered for inclusion

in this category.

 

B. Historic:

- Proof must be submitted, and verified through documented research, that the tree being

nominated for memership in the Registry is, in fact, a minimum of 100 years of age, or that it is

 directly connected with a specific event, person, place, building or occasion of notable

significance to the history of East Baton Rouge Parish.

- Acceptable proof shall take any form (photos, historic documents, surveys, statements from

recognized professionals etc) which can be verified as true and genuine.

 

C. Unique:

- Trees selected for inclusion in this classification must, in the opinion of the Tree

Commission, possess one or more singular characteristics which render them important to the

community through their unique nature. Qualities considered are aesthetic quality, form,

character, rarity, or other factors as determined by the Commission.

 

-Any species, size or age of tree may be acceptable under this catagory

 

 

2. Submittal / Review Process

 

Tree nominations for inclusion on the East Baton Rouge Parish Tree Registery are encouraged from

all citizens. Written nominations signed by the Owner of the tree should be made to the East

Baton Rouge Parish Tree Commission through the Office of Landscape & Forestry according to the

following procedure.

 

A fill-in-the-blanks application form is available in all public libraries, public gardens,

private retail garden centers and at City Hall. This application form will be made available to

any group, family or individual interested in nominating a tree or trees to the Registry.

 

Nominations would be accepted at any time during the year on or before October 1. After this

date staff in the East Baton Rouge Parish Office of Landscape & Forestry will review, measure,

assess catalogue and photograph, nominated trees and deliver findings and recommendations to the

Tree Commission in November.

 

The Tree Commission will review staff recommendations and decide on final eligibility. Final

selections will be recorded in December in "Official" Registry of Ancient, Historic and Unique

Trees.

 

 

3. Announcement / Designation process

One of the most important aspects of this yearly program is public recognition of the Trees

inducted into the Register. This will be a public event intended to bring recognition to both

the tree and the individual group or family making the nomination. The following procedure will

be used to bring public recognition to the trees of East Baton Rouge Parish.

 

An annual announcement ceremony will be hosted by the Mayor and Tree Commission on Arbor Day

(January )of each year. This will be the official public notification of that year's inductees

into the register. At this ceremony a plaque will be made available to the tree's owner to to be

placed on the site where the tree is growing to designate the tree as "registered."

 

A paper certificate of registry will be given to the sponsoring group, individual or family for

each tree inducted. Public recognition will be made by The Tree Commission to each sponsoring

group, individual or family for each tree nominated .

 

Entries selected for induction will be recorded in an official database to be maintained

concurrently by the Office of Landscape and Forestry and the Planning Commission. Tree

locations will also be mapped and plotted by both agencies.

 

All annual updates will be furnished to the East Baton Rouge Public Library for future reference

and public access. Appropriate announcements will be made in print and through electronic media.


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END OF DOCUMENT

 

 

For Additional Information

Contact

East Baton Rouge Parish Tree Commission

c/o The Office of Landscape & Forestry

Steve Shurtz, Landscape Architect City Forester

14350 Old Hammond Highway

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816

504-275-7995

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