FOLEY – Foley’s historic trees are being recognized in a program to record the majestic oaks and other species that have been growing in the community for decades.

The Landmark Tree program will commemorate the largest and oldest trees in the community. The Foley City Council voted Monday, Nov. 18, to establish the designation.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the Landmark Tree program will help Foley record and preserve trees that have become well known beyond the region. He said that at a recent meeting of municipal officials in Florida, someone told him how much they appreciated one of the Foley oaks in which lighting was recently installed.

“Here I’m in Tampa and somebody tells me how beautiful the tree is in Foley,” he said. “They were just coming through Foley and saw it.” 

The Landmark Tree designation replaces the Century Tree program that has been in place in Foley for several years. Brenda Shambo, Foley administrative assistant, said the Landmark Tree criteria are better suited to the trees growing along the Alabama Gulf Coast.

“This program will change the name and also the size criteria,” she said. “And it will clear up any confusion regarding the city’s ability to determine that the trees are actually over 100 years old.”

The new criteria will help prevent younger trees from being included in the listing. 

The Century Tree program was intended to recognize trees that were at least 100 years old. The program, however, set criteria based on average growing conditions throughout the region. On the Gulf Coast, some trees grew at a faster rate, resulting in some oaks that were less than 50 years old meeting the size qualifications.

Under the Century Tree program, a live oak had to have a diameter of 30 inches at a height of 4 ½ feet from the ground to qualify. The Landmark Tree criteria for live oaks is 50 inches at the same height.

Other species have different size criteria.

Trees can also receive Landmark designations if they are an uncommon or rare species or are a national state or locally recognized tree. Trees associated with a documented historic event, person or community landmark or that were planted in memory of a historic event can also be recognized.

Trees recommended for landmark designation cannot be considered an invasive species or constitute a hazard or obstruction.

Trees that were recognized under the Century Tree program will also be included in the Landmark Tree recognition program.

David Thompson, Foley executive director of leisure services, said the Landmark Tree program is a recognition program.

The city is also working on regulations to help protect and preserve trees as Foley continues to grow.