These trees have been dedicated by members of the Oregon Heritage Tree Committee. It is believed to be the largest cherry tree in Oregon. Some trees on private and public lands date back to the early days of the community and, in part, define the personality of Eugene. These trees are significant specimens due to their character, size, and age.
Heritage trees can be either on public or private property.
The city encourages retaining heritage trees on private property, except when otherwise necessary for the public health, safety, or welfare. Development plans are reviewed and approved with this goal in mind. In 1984, the citizens of Eugene passed an amendment to the City Charter which insures that all citizens of Eugene will have the opportunity to comment on the removal of large street trees in conjunction with street widening projects within the 1915 historical boundary of the city. This amendment requires an affirmative vote of the citizens of Eugene to allow the removal of historic trees for any street widening project. No street, road, freeway, throughway, or thoroughfare may be widened by the city, nor may the city enter into any agreement approving or facilitating the widening of such street, road, freeway, throughway, or thoroughfare if such widening will result in the removal of any historic street tree unless the widening is first approved my a majority of the voting electors of the city in a city election conducted in accordance with law and unless the agreement is entered into within a time specified by the measure approved by the voters.