The Dallas City Council designated nearly 100 trees throughout the city as “historic” during its Wednesday meeting.
Six locations are now home to “historic trees” as defined in the Dallas City Code, according to a resolution passed unanimously by council members. These six locations include the following:
- The Post Oak Grove at Pioneer Park
- The Big Tree Grove at Moore Park
- The live oaks and cedar elms at Dealey Plaza Grove
- The Big Spring Bur Oak at the Big Spring Historic Overlay
- The Cherokee Park Tree at Dallas Heritage Park
- The California Crossing Comanche Marker Tree
This item was highlighted during Wednesday’s meeting by Council Member Jaynie Schultz (District 11).
“I hope this is a trend we do throughout the city,” she said.
Her sentiments were also echoed by Council Member Chad West (District 1), who noted, “There are a total of 86 trees that are being designated.”
West also thanked the Texas Historic Tree Coalition for their collaboration with the City and said there are “big ole trees” in his district that he would like to see designated as historic.
The City’s Historic Tree Program aims to protect trees with historic importance throughout Dallas.
“HISTORIC TREE means a tree, or grove of trees, that has been recognized by resolution of the city council as having cultural or historical significance,” according to City regulations.
Anyone can nominate a tree or a grove of trees in Dallas for designation. Instructions for that process can be found here. The form to nominate a tree for designation can be found here.
The property owner of the tree or grove must formally agree to the designation before it can go before the city council. Under Dallas City Code, trees designated as “historic” cannot be removed without authorization from the city council.
A complete list of “historic trees” in Texas, including the newly approved locations in Dallas, can be found on the Texas Historic Tree Coalition website.
