2020-036 Landmark Tree Designation CriteriaDate: April 10, 2020 Report No. 2020-036
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Landmark Tree Designation Criteria
BACKGROUND:
In mid-December, staff received inquiries from Council Member Meltzer and Council Member
Armintor about the process of having local trees classified as “Legacy,” if it is not on the Texas
A&M Forest Service Big Trees Registry. The Parks and Recreation staff coordinated with
Development Services to develop criteria consistent with the Denton Development Code (DDC).
DISCUSSION:
The DDC defines a Landmark tree as, “A healthy tree that is designated by the property owner
on the Texas Big Tree Registry regardless if the tree is protected or a non-protected tree; or a tree
designated as a historic tree where an event of historic significance occurred that had local,
regional, or national importance; or at the home of a citizen who is famous on a local, regional,
or national basis; or that has taken on a legendary stature in the community, is mentioned in
literature or documents of historic value, or is considered unusual due to size, age, or other
landmark status. Historic trees shall be designated following the historic landmark designation
procedure.”
In drafting the attached criteria, Parks and Recreation staff identified three categories of
eligibility, trees that are:
1. On the Texas A&M Forest Service Big Tree Registry,
2. historic, and
3. Legendary in stature
The criteria expands upon and specifies what qualifies a tree as being “legendary in stature in the
community,” and provides a form to nominate individual trees for Landmark tree consideration.
To qualify as “Legendary in Stature,” a tree must meet one of the following:
1. The tree must measure 60 percent of the circumference or tree index score of the State
Champion of the same species as listed on the Texas A&M Forest Service Big Tree
Registry.
2. The tree must be large for its species in a neighborhood or region of the City. The size of
the tree is based on the diameter at breast height (DBH), the height, and the average
crown spread.
3. Any Post Oak over 30” Diameter.
4. Any Blackjack Oak over 20” Diameter.
5. The tree is rare for this area and is a good specimen of the species.
6. The tree is mentioned in literature or documents of historical value.
Date: April 10, 2020 Report No. 2020-036
CONCLUSION:
The Landmark Tree criteria were agreed upon by Parks and Recreation and Development
Service staff for implementation without the need for a DDC amendment. Parks and Recreation
will administer the process with a fillable form available on the city website. Development
Services will let permit applicants know of the availability of the program.
STAFF CONTACT:
Haywood Morgan
Urban Forester, Parks and Recreation
Haywood.Morgan@cityofdenton.com
REQUESTOR:
Council Member Meltzer
Council Member Armintor
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS:
Parks and Recreation
Development Services
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT:
Parks and Recreation 16 hours
Development Services 1.5 hour
Total 17.5 hours
City of Denton Landmark Tree Criteria
General Description
Tree: Woody perennial usually having one dominant trunk and a mature height greater than 5 meters (16 feet).
(Definition by ISA)
Landmark Trees: A healthy tree that is designated by the property owner on the Texas Big Tree Registry
regardless if the tree is protected or a non‐protected tree; or a tree designated as a Historic Tree where an event
of historic significance occurred that had local, regional, or national importance; or at the home of a citizen who is
famous on a local, regional, or national basis; or that has taken on a legendary stature in the community, is
mentioned in literature or documents of historic value, or is considered unusual due to size, age, or other
landmark status. Historic Trees shall be designated following the Historic Landmark Designation procedure.
Eligibility
To be eligible for Landmark Tree designation the tree must meet one of the following:
Texas A&M Forest Service Texas Big Tree Registry
The tree is listed on the Texas A&M Forest Service Texas Big Tree Registry.
Historic
Tree that is designated as a Historic Tree where an event of historic significance occurred that had local,
regional, or national importance.
The tree is located at the home of a citizen who is famous on a local, regional, or national basis.
Legendary in stature
The tree must measure 60 percent of the circumference or tree index score of the State Champion of the
same species as listed on the Texas A&M Forest Service Big Tree Registry.
The tree be must large for its species in a neighborhood or region of the City. The size of the tree is based
on the diameter at breast height (DBH), the height and the average crown spread.
Any Post Oak over 30” Diameter.
Any Blackjack Oak over 20” Diameter.
The tree is rare for this area and is a good specimen of the species.
The tree is mentioned in literature or documents of historic value.
Landmark Tree Nomination Form
Species:
Common Name: _______________________________________________________________________
Scientific Name: _______________________________________________________________________
Nominator:
Name ______________________________________ Phone _________________________________________
Address ____________________________________ Email __________________________________________
Owner:
Name ____________________________________ Phone _________________________________________
Address ____________________________________ Email __________________________________________
____________________________________ Signature _______________________________________
Does the owner agree to the tree being designated a Landmark if it meets the criteria? Yes ___ No ___
Does the owner agree to allow City staff or volunteers to inspect the tree? Yes ___ No ___
Tell us a little about the tree and why it should be designated as a Landmark tree. __________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Where is the tree located on the property? (Give the location for someone who is not familiar with the site).
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Email, Mail or Fax completed forms to the
Parks and Recreation Department
901‐B Texas Street
Denton, TX 76209
parknrec@cityofdenton.com
If you have any question call (940) 349‐8337