Utah's Heritage Trees

Utah's Heritage Trees
Larry S. Sagers, Utah State University Extension Agent

Imagine, if you will, entering the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Looking out over the vast expanse toward the inland "salt sea" the view was not the never-ending hardwood forest that most of the pioneers, who hailed from the eastern United States, were familiar with. With the charge to make "the desert blossom as a rose" planting became a priority for the immigrants from all over the world.

Although some have supposed that there were no trees in Utah, that was not the case. Of course the mountains were covered with trees. These trees provided the timber for homes, schools, and churches. It also provided the timber for the mines, and fueled the smelters for a fledgling mining industry. This pressure made trees endangered species in some locations as hillsides were denuded in the quest to settle the West.

The first trees were planted to produce fruit and to provide protection from the hot desert sun and winter winds. Some were natives transplanted from nearby mountains, while other were imported from more exotic locations. Lombardy poplars originated in Italy and Tree of Heaven came from China and South Sea islands. Mormon pioneers, Chinese laborers and other immigrants brought their favorites to their new home in the mountains.

Many of these trees have very interesting histories. Some were planted under well-documented circumstances while the history of others is less well known. They have survived fires, winds insects and other calamities. Because of the history and heritage of these trees they are protected under a special designation the Utah Heritage Tree Act.

I have often wished these trees could share their history with us. I would love to hear the stories of the Pony Express from the gigantic Black Willow on Dave Bagley's ranch in Callao. As the sentinel of the desert did the tree watch for the cloud of dust that signaled the approaching rider from the east or the west. Did Nick Wilson and other Pony Express riders shade themselves under its branches? What else could this and the many other historical trees tell us about the history of our state?

I must confess a personal interest in one of the trees because it was planted by my Great-great-grandfather. He was probably responsible for some of my horticultural interest. Edwin Whiting made his home in Springville after arriving from Nauvoo in the cross country trek. He established a nursery, a retail store and a sawmill. His contribution to the heritage trees of Utah is summarized as follows in an article from the Deseret News in 1948.

"Another interesting tree that has withstood the rigors of advancing years is an 87-year-old native cedar which still thrives near the Second Ward chapel on South Main Street."

It was brought in a quart cup from a nearby canyon in 1861 by Edwin Whiting and planted in his own front yard."

Mr. Whiting, a nurseryman who joined the church in Ohio in 1849, always marked the evergreens he brought from the canyons so he could set them the same way they stood in the canyon. This tree was marked by the Camp Aaron Johnson of the DUP with a pioneer plaque.

"This cedar stands in perfect symmetry, along with many others, as a living monument to the vision of early pioneers who planted not only for themselves, but for future generations."

I am happy to report that the tree is still doing well after another fifty years and is one of the oldest documented planted trees in Utah. My great great-grandfather may have had a little inkling of how much trees could mean to future generations when he dug this small seedling and transplanted it to his front garden on Main street. His legacy was the planting and preservation of trees to benefit future generations. We can create a similar tradition by preserving this past legacy for those that will follow us.

Preserving Heritage TreesPreserving this legacy of trees is so important, that the Utah Heritage Tree Act protects them from wanton destruction. The Act is administered under the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. The law is designed to protect two categories of trees. The first is trees that are botanically significant (the only one of the species n the state or the largest specimen in the state). The second is trees that are related to the state's heritage.These historically significant trees must have been planted by a pioneer or have been present at the site of a historic event or location.

Protecting heritage trees requires they be recognized under the Heritage Tree Act. To do this they must be nominated to the Utah State Heritage Tree Register. To nominate a tree please submit the form included.Identifying and protecting these trees is only possible when you get involved with community forestry and take care of these plants. Many communities have programs to help encourage planting and preserving trees.

for more information contact:Heritage Trees Program, Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, 1594 W. North Temple, Suite 3520, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-5703.