Heritage trees are living cultural artifacts that connect the past to the present. In the province of Ontario, every “Heritage Tree” possesses cultural, social, or historical significance. They hold a special place in community peoples’ hearts with their special value.

 

Heritage trees provide a sense of permanency and sense of place, an important gene pool, and also a critical repository of potential pharmaceutical resources. As the “elder statesmen” of a species, heritage or “champion” trees are a living reminder of how large and old a particular species may become. The oldest of the species also contains a living “library” of climate changes that have taken place over hundreds and in some cases thousands of years.

     

                  - Heritage Trees: International Legislation, Research and Registries