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Commission discusses Heritage and Legacy Tree definitions to strengthen protections
Summary
Members debated draft definitions distinguishing Heritage Trees (qualifying by objective criteria) from Legacy Trees (nominated and officially recognized) and agreed to continue refining language for possible inclusion in the Village Tree Ordinance pending attorney review and trustee vote.
Commission members reviewed proposed definitions intended to recognize and protect long-lived or exceptional trees. Under the draft, a Heritage Tree would qualify automatically by meeting objective criteria such as advanced age, large size or ecological importance; a replacement of a Heritage Tree—such as a 1.5-inch caliper sapling—was noted as unlikely to provide comparable ecosystem benefits for decades.
By contrast, a Legacy Tree would be a tree formally nominated and designated for its community value, historical relevance or exceptional size and would receive the highest municipal protection. Commissioners agreed further discussion is needed and that any formal Heritage/Legacy designations or ordinance text would require review by the village attorney and a trustee vote before becoming enforceable.
