Heritage Trees are valued members of Portland’s urban forest and have the highest level of tree protection in the City. It is illegal for any person to remove, destroy, cut, prune, break, or injure any Heritage Tree without a permit. A Heritage Tree retains its status even when a property is sold or transferred to a new owner (Title 11).
Do you have a Heritage Tree on your property? Search for your address on PortlandMaps.com. If you have a Heritage Tree, you will find a green section under the Permits & Zoning tab:
Landowner Consent
Trees on private property can only be designated as a Heritage Tree with the consent of the landowner. The landowner must sign and notarize a Heritage Tree Designation Consent Form before a tree can be designated by City Council. Once a private Heritage Tree is designated, the City records the Heritage Tree Designation Consent Form with Multnomah County.
Landowner consent to designation is always required for private Heritage Trees, but recording this consent with the County was not required before 2015. Trees designated before 2015 may not have recorded Heritage Tree Consent Forms with the County. This does not impact the Heritage status of the tree. Designated Heritage Trees on private property remain protected regardless of future ownership.
If you think you may have a Heritage Tree on your property, search your address on PortlandMaps.com.
Private Heritage Tree Maintenance & Preservation
Heritage Trees on private property are maintained by the property owner. We recommend working with arborists specialized in mature tree care. The City regulates any necessary maintenance or removal, and a Heritage Tree Permit is needed. Proposed tree work must be reviewed and approved before pruning, cabling, or any other tree work can begin.
Permits for a Heritage Tree are always free along with a health assessment by a City Tree Inspector.
Apply for a Heritage Tree Permit
Property Development Around Heritage Trees
Are you planning to re-pave your driveway or build an extension on your house? Are you remodeling your bathroom or planning an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and need space for equipment and material storage? Do you want to install a new in-ground irrigation system in your yard?
City code requires the protection of Heritage Trees during development. Any activity that may harm the roots, trunk, bark, or branches of a Heritage Tree is restricted. You must coordinate with Portland Permitting & Development early in the development application process. If you are planning work around a Heritage Tree, submit a Heritage Tree Permit Application in advance. Call 503-823-TREE (8733) or email trees@portlandoregon.gov for help.
Private Heritage Tree Removal Requests
Non-Emergency Removals
A Heritage Tree may not be removed unless it is dead, dying, or dangerous. All removals must be approved by the Urban Forestry Commission.
If you believe removal is the best option for your tree, please fill out a Heritage Tree Permit Application. A City Tree Inspector will visit the tree and discuss options with you.
Before a Heritage Tree can be removed, the Urban Forestry Commission will hear a tree health report from the Tree Inspector. Members of the public will have an opportunity to comment. Then, the Urban Forestry Commission will vote to approve removal.
If the Urban Forestry Commission approves removal, a permit will be issued, and the tree may be removed. Note that this process can take several weeks.
Emergencies
If your tree falls or requires emergency pruning, Portland Permitting & Development may approve and issue a permit on an emergency basis. For help with this process, fill out a Heritage Tree Permit Application and call 503-823-TREE (8733) or email trees@portlandoregon.gov.
Heritage Tree Plaques
All Heritage Trees have a plaque to mark the special status of the tree. Each plaque has the tree species name, Heritage Tree number, and year of designation.
Plaques are provided and maintained by Urban Forestry. If your tree is missing a plaque or it is damaged, please contact us at parks.heritagetree@portlandoregon.gov.