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Purpose
The
purpose of the Arkansas Famous and Historic
Tree Program (AFHTP) is to create a greater
awareness and appreciation of the state's
trees through the recognition of their
historical background. The AFHTP has
two goals: education and preservation
Criteria
The
AFHTP evaluates whether a tree should be
recognized as significant by four main
criteria. Only living trees that have been
planted for a minimum of five years will be
considered. Generally, a tree must be at
least 50 years old to be considered eligible
for listing in the AFHTP. Trees less than 50
years of age must be exceptionally important
to be listed. Groups of trees or a
significant tree community may also be
nominated. A tree must meet at least one of
the following criteria:
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Be
associated with a significant event in
local, state or national history.
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Be
associated with a significant person,
institution or land mark in local, state
or national history.
-
Be
significant with respect to
horticultural, ecological or structural
characteristics for a local, state or
national region.,
-
Have
potential to yield significant cultural
information in local, state or national
history.
Tree
Nomination
The
AFHTP is voluntary. Anyone can nominate a
tree, but the landowner's permission is
required. To
nominate a tree for consideration with the
AFHTP a nomination form must be filled out. Nomination
forms are available from the Arkansas
Forestry Commission or can be downloaded
from this website. Nominated trees must meet
the previously listed criteria.
Information
needed for the Nomination Form includes the
name of the tree, why it is important and
where it is located. Additional references
in literature or historic photographs of the
tree are helpful. Local and county
historical societies might be able to help
with historical documentation.
A
nomination review committee will review each
nominated tree and accept the nomination,
reject it, or table the nomination pending
further research. The Review Committee will
notify owners two weeks before their
nomination is scheduled for review. At the
meeting the owner will have the option of
making a brief presentation to the
committee.
When
the Review Committee approves a tree, its
owner and nominator will receive official
notification and certificates of
registration.. A historical biography sheet
will be prepared for that tree using
information from the nomination sheet, kept
on file for reference and some information
will be placed on the web page. The owner's
privacy will be respected.
At
the owner's request, a public ceremony may
be organized to celebrate the event and the
owner may want to purchase a tree marker to
be placed on the tree for identification and
recognition.
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