San Mateo County is an area of great natural beauty and its outstanding heritage tree population has been and continues to be an invaluable asset in contributing to the economic, environmental, and aesthetic stability of the County and the welfare of its people and of future generations. Irresponsible, wanton, and wholesale destruction of heritage trees could, among other things, diminish such beauty, scientific and historical values, adversely affect the environment, reduce property values, detract from scenic highways, and destroy the County’s recreational economy.

What Is a Heritage Tree?
HERITAGE TREE means a tree (or grouping of trees) specifically designated by action of the Board of Supervisors that possesses exceptional and unique size, age, horticultural significance, aesthetic, biological, cultural, or historic value, and is irreplaceable and expected to have a continuing contribution to the community

Which Trees Are Heritage Trees?
All Santa Cruz Cypress and Oregon White Oaks are Heritage Trees. Depending upon their size and location, all of the following native trees may be Heritage Trees: Bigleaf Maple, Madrone, Golden Chinquapin, Oregon Ash, Tan Oak, Douglas Fir, Coast Live Oak, Canyon Live Oak, Black Oak, Interior Live Oak, Valley Oak, Blue Oak, California Bay or Laurel, California Nutmeg, and Redwood (aka Sequoia).

The Board of Supervisors may also designate other trees and groves as Heritage Trees.

Regulation of Trimming and Removing Heritage Trees
Why are some trees designated as heritage trees? Which trees are heritage trees? I have a heritage tree on my property. How does the designation affect me?
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