There are over 300 Heritage Trees throughout Portland, with new trees added each year. Once designated, Heritage Trees are protected by City Code and cannot be removed without the consent of the Urban Forestry Commission and Portland City Council.
Heritage Tree Map
View a map of Heritage Trees and explore individual trees to see photos and learn more about them.
Heritage Trees by Year
Visit this page to see a list of all of the Heritage Trees, including the ones that have been removed from the list. Trees are listed by the year they were designated and also include locations or addresses when available.
Heritage Trees by Species
Heritage Trees sorted by scientific name, with links to species and tree information.
How Do I Nominate a Heritage Tree?
The nomination deadline is May 1 each year. It takes about a year to receive Heritage Tree designation once the nominated tree has been accepted.
The Heritage Tree Guidebook
This 76-page guide has maps, species descriptions, best viewing times, and more. Print editions are not currently unavailable.
Announcing a new interpretive walking tour of 10 downtown Heritage Trees: From Stumptown to Treetown: A Field Guide for Interpreting Portland’s History through its Heritage Trees. This award-winning book, written by David-Paul B. Hedberg, a graduate student in the Department of History at Portland State University through an internship with Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry, connects historic photos to living trees in the city and invites you to explore some of Portland’s oldest living features.
Can I Prune or Remove a Heritage Tree?
Pruning or Other Tree Work
A permit from Urban Forestry is required before pruning, or doing any other tree work on a Heritage Tree, whether the tree is in the City right-of-way or on private property. A site visit by an Urban Forestry Tree Inspector is required before a permit can be issued for Heritage Tree work.
Removing a Heritage Tree
A Heritage Tree can only be approved for removal if it is dead, dying, or dangerous. Heritage Trees may only be removed with the consent of the Urban Forestry Commission, except in cases of emergency. The Urban Forestry Commission shall hold a public hearing on a request to remove a Heritage Tree. Consent to remove the tree shall be supported by at least six members of the Urban Forestry Commission (Chapter 11.20.060.F).
Removing Heritage Tree Designation (or "de-listing")
Heritage Tree Designations can be removed (or "de-listed") by vote of City Council if it finds that the designation is no longer appropriate. Prior to this vote, the Urban Forestry Commission will provide a recommendation to City Council which approves or denies a request to remove Heritage Tree Designation (Chapter 11.20.060.E).
Heritage Trees and Development
Heritage Trees must be protected during development. Work on or around any Heritage Tree requires the property owner or applicant to schedule an assessment meeting with the City Forester by calling 503-823-TREE (8733). For permit approval, Planning & Zoning needs to see the recommendations that Urban Forestry provides for the tree transferred onto the tree preservation plan. It is recommended to take a copy of the current plan to the onsite meeting with Urban Forestry. The onsite meeting should be scheduled early in the development application process.
Join the Heritage Tree Committee
About Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry
The mission of PP&R’s Urban Forestry (UF) division is to manage and care for Portland's tree infrastructure in the City for current and future generations. Portland’s urban forest consists of 220,000 street trees, 1.2 million park trees, and innumerable private property trees. The Urban Forestry division is involved in managing or regulating these trees. UF created and implements the City of Portland's Urban Forest Management Plan, fosters community tree awareness and stewardship, develops tree policies and programs, monitors and assesses Portland’s urban forest, and issues permits for planting, pruning, and removal of public and some private trees. During extreme weather at all times of the year, UF crews respond to tree emergencies to keep you safe and the City moving.
For more information on Urban Forestry at portland.gov/trees.