Oregon Heritage Tree Program Celebrates 30 Years - Newberg, McMinnville(Photo) - 03/31/26

(Salem, Oregon) The Travel Information Council and its volunteer Oregon Heritage Tree Committee, invite communities across Oregon to shine a spotlight on their heritage trees in 2026, particularly during Arbor Month in April. 

Founded in 1996, Oregon was the first state in the country to launch a state-sponsored heritage tree program. The goal of the program is to educate Oregonians about the value of these trees and promote their appreciation. Over the past 30 years, 85 trees have been designated across the state in 26 of Oregon’s 36 counties. Seventy-nine heritage trees are still living and provide the chance to engage the senses and learn about significant people, places and events at historic sites, public gardens, and hiking trails across the state.

Oregon Heritage Tree Committee Chair Dave Hedberg encourages the public to visit a state or local heritage tree. “Visiting an Oregon Heritage Tree is a chance to engage your senses and learn about local history in the real world – not just in books and on screens. All of Oregon’s Heritage Trees are deeply connected to the people of the past. Enjoying these trees today connects us with our history.”

State-designated heritage trees in the area:

Ewing Young Oak, Newberg:  Ewing Young, a former fur trapper and trader, settled in the Chehalem Valley in 1834 and died here in 1841.  His death directly led to the Champoeg Meeting and the beginning of the organization of the Provisional Government in 1843.  On May 6, 1846, an acorn was planted here on his grave near his cabin by Miranda Bayley and Sidney Smith.

Hoover-Minthorn Pear, Newberg: This Winter Nelis pear tree, planted in 1879, is associated with the boyhood years of President Herbert Hoover.  When the 11-year-old Hoover arrived here from Iowa in 1885 to live with his uncle John Minthorn and family, he joined his aunt and cousins in the task of making pear butter.  Hoover later wrote that after the ill effects of an almost exclusive pear diet for two days, he could not eat pears again for many years.

Baker/Russell Black Walnut, McMinnville: Andrew J. Baker, who arrived in the Oregon Territory in 1843 as part of the Great Migration, planted the black walnut in 1870 next to his house, built in 1852.  The house, which still stands at this site, was used as a stagecoach stop in the last 1800s.  The property was purchased by William S. Russell and is still owned by Russell's heirs.

Willamette Mission Cottonwood, Brooks: This giant black cottonwood stands near the site of the Willamette Mission established by Reverend Jason Lee in 1834.  At the time the mission and tree were located on the banks of the Willamette River.  The great flood in 1861 changed the river course to its present channel leaving what is now Mission Lake.  The Willamette Mission Cottonwood is the largest of its kind in Oregon and the nation.

These trees and more can be located using this map: https://oregontic.com/oregon-heritage-trees/oregon-heritage-tree-map/

Individuals, cities, tourism organizations, and heritage groups are invited to nominate a tree with documented historic significance to the state.

Al Tocchini, vice-chair of the Oregon Heritage Tree Committee says he and fellow members share a clear vision for the future of program- to be more inclusive. “In particular, we are seeking underrepresented stories of Oregon’s diverse populations in places that are accessible to the general public.”  

The nomination form can be found at: oregontic.com/oregon-heritage-trees.

The Oregon Heritage Tree Program is administered by the Oregon Travel Information Council and a committee of dedicated volunteers from across the state. The Travel Information Council is a semi-independent state agency created by the State of Oregon in the 1970s to operate the highway blue logo sign program following the Highway Beautification Act. The agency now also operates the Oregon Historical Marker and Heritage Tree Programs as well as 39 rest areas at 25 locations in Oregon, providing clean, safe, and inviting locations that are open and free to use 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information regarding the Heritage Tree program visit www.oregontic.com/oregon-heritage-trees.