City arborist committee highlights Exceptional Tree Program and invites nominations

Miles Ritchie, chair of the Arborist Advisory Committee and ground director for the Outdoor Circle, presented a concise overview of Hawaii's Exceptional Tree Program to Neighborhood Board No. 10, describing its purpose, nomination criteria and opportunities for community participation.

Program basics: Ritchie traced the program’s origin to a 1975 state law enacted after loss of iconic trees in Honolulu. The program recognizes individual trees or groves that meet one or more of seven criteria: historical/cultural value, age, rarity, location, size, aesthetic quality, or endemic status. Nominations require property-owner sign-off on private land and can be submitted by any member of the public for public-property specimens.

Maintenance support and next steps: Ritchie noted a maintenance tax deduction exists (a multi-year deduction to support upkeep) and said the Arborist Advisory Committee and public partners are eager to identify new candidate trees so protections and stewardship can continue into the next generation. He provided contact information and the city’s nomination forms online.

Board response: Members asked about private-property nominations and what to plant as replacements for trees removed because of disease; Ritchie confirmed condominium properties and private owners can nominate trees but recommended discussing specifics directly by email.