Ridgefield’s Heritage Tree program aims to preserve and recognize the significant trees in our community (Municipal Code Ch. 18.840). With this program, the city and any areas that may become part of the city will continue to realize the benefits provided by heritage trees. And, uncontrolled cutting or destruction of heritage trees will be minimized.
To be listed as a heritage tree, a tree must be in healthy growing condition and one or more of the following must exist:
- The tree has a diameter (at breast height) of thirty-six inches or greater;
- The tree has a distinctive size, shape, or location, or is of a distinctive species or age which warrants a heritage tree status;
- The tree possesses exceptional beauty which warrants a heritage tree status;
- The tree is distinctive due to a functional or aesthetic relationship to a natural resource, such as trees located along stream banks or trees located along ridge lines; or
- The tree has a documented association with a historical figure, property, or significant historical event.
A grove may be considered for heritage status if it is in healthy growing condition and one or more of the following criteria are met:
- The grove is relatively mature and is of a rare or unusual nature containing trees that are distinctive either due to size, shape, species or age;
- The grove is distinctive due to a functional or aesthetic relationship to a natural resource, such as trees located along stream banks, or trees located along ridge lines; or
- The grove has documented association with a historical figure, property, or significant historical event.
Heritage Tree Register
These trees were nominated and considered and adopted by City Council at a public City Council meeting on December 6, 2018. The Heritage Tree process is ongoing, and additional trees will be added here as they are adopted as Heritage Trees.
We are currently gathering additional information and historical context for these Heritage Trees. This webpage should be considered a work in progress. If you have any information regarding these trees that is missing, please contact Megan DeMoss at Megan.DeMoss@ridgefieldwa.us or (360) 857-5003.
Crippen
Species: undetermined
Diameter (at breast height): approx. 5 ft
Height: 45 ft
Location: 502 N Main Ave
This tree is over 100 years old and was first recognized as a Heritage Tree in 2010 as a continuation of the City of Ridgefield centennial celebration. It was adopted as an official Ridgefield Heritage Tree on December 6, 2018.
City Park – Groat Family Tree
Species: Cedrus deodara
Diameter (at breast height): undetermined
Height: undetermined
Location: 2205 S Wind River Way
This tree is located in a City Park at 2205 S Wind River Way in the Columbia Hills subdivision. Common names for the Cedrus deodara are the Deodar Cedar and the Himalayan Cedar. It was adopted as an official Ridgefield Heritage Tree on December 6, 2018.
Don and Vera Groat owned the property on which the Columbia Hills subdivision was built. The property was home to 5 generations of the Groat Family. Prior to the subdivision, Don and Vera divided some of the property among their children. When their son, Greg, built his home on the property, Vera gifted this tree to him and it is now over 30 years old.
Baker – Riverview Drive
Species: undetermined
Diameter (at breast height): undetermined
Height: 50 ft
Location: 219 Riverview Dr.
This tree is over 100 years old and approximately 50 feet tall. The nomination for this tree mentioned its uncommon beauty and size as key factors in why it should be a heritage tree. It was adopted as an official Ridgefield Heritage Tree on December 6, 2018.
Hughes
Species: Sequoiadendron giganteum
Diameter (at breast height): undetermined
Height: undetermined
Location: 605 N Main Ave
Located at 605 N Main Ave, this tree was first recognized in 2009 as part of the Ridgefield centennial, and was officially made a Ridgefield Heritage Tree December 6, 2018. It is a Sequoiadendron giganteum, and has magnificent stout branching and width, as well as a huge trunk. Both the red trunk and the blue-green foliage are admirable. The Sequoiadendron giganteum is commonly known as Giant Sequoia, Giant Redwood, or Sierra Redwood. It is native to the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. It was adopted as an official Ridgefield Heritage Tree on December 6, 2018.
Smart
Species: Quercus garryana
Diameter (at breast height): undetermined
Height: undetermined
Location: 1161 S Oak Rd
Common names for the Quercus garryana are the Oregon White Oak, Oregon Oak, and Garry Oak. It is one of only four deciduous oaks native to the West Coast. It was adopted as an official Ridgefield Heritage Tree on December 6, 2018.
Bynon – Edwards
Species: Quercus garryana
Diameter (at breast height): undetermined
Height: undetermined
Location: 1211 S Oak Rd / 1166 S Oak Rd
This Quercus garryana can be found along S Oak Rd. It is on the edge of the Bynon and Edwards properties. Common names for the Quercus garryana are the Oregon White Oak, Oregon Oak, and Garry Oak. It is one of only four deciduous oaks native to the West Coast. It was adopted as an official Ridgefield Heritage Tree on December 6, 2018.
Thorson
Species: Quercus garryana
Diameter (at breast height): multiple trees
Height: multiple trees
Location: 1003 S Hillhurst Rd
This small grove of Quercus garryana can be found at 1003 S Hillhurst Rd. Common names for the Quercus garryana are the Oregon White Oak, Oregon Oak, and Garry Oak. It is one of only four deciduous oaks native to the West Coast. It was adopted as an official Ridgefield Heritage Tree on December 6, 2018.
Pioneer Village Pear Tree
Species: undetermined
Diameter (at breast height): undetermined
Height: undetermined
Location: 337 S Royle Rd
This pear tree is located at 337 S Royle Rd. As Pioneer Village is constructed in the area, the pear tree will remain in place because of its designation as a Heritage Tree. It was adopted as an official Ridgefield Heritage Tree on December 6, 2018.
Image to come Spring 2020.
Claflin Tulip Tree
Species: Liriodendron tulipifera
Diameter (at breast height): undetermined
Height: undetermined
Location: 907 Pioneer
In 2010, this tree was included on a Ridgefield Heritage Trees project, part of a centennial effort. The tree is still there, and is impressive in size. This tree was added as an official Ridgefield Heritage Tree March 12, 2020.
The Liriodendron tulipifera is easy to identify by its tulip shaped leaves. The flowers, which bloom in the spring, look like green tulips marked with yellow and orange. They are very showy in the fall with bright yellow mottled with brown. Tulip wood used for furniture and wood-carving is light colored and easily worked. The tree is also known as the Yellow Poplar or Tulip Poplar.
