HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-24 A Resolution creting the "Ashland Heritage Trree List" and including the Southern Oregon University spirit tree, a silver maple located int eh courtyard between the Mcloughlin and Shasta residence halls, as Ashland's first heritage tree.
RESOLUTION NO. 2017- 2LJ
A RESOLUTION CREATING THE `ASHLAND HERITAGE TREE LIST'
AND INCLUDING THE SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY SPIRIT
TREE, A SILVER MAPLE LOCATED IN THE COURTYARD BETWEEN
THE MCLOUGHLIN AND SHASTA RESIDENCE HALLS, AS
ASHLAND'S FIRST HERITAGE TREE.
RECITALS:
A. The City of Ashland recognizes that specific trees in Ashland are deserving of special
status due to their distinctive form, size, age, location, species, unique qualities or
historical significance; and values the contribution which such trees make to the beauty
and quality of life of Ashland.
B. The Ashland Land Use Ordinance provides in ALUO 18.4.5.060 that any person may
nominate, with the written consent of the property owner, a mature tree for consideration
as a Heritage Tree. The Tree Commission reviews nominations and makes final
recommendation to the City Council to make the final determination for Heritage Tree
status. Should the City Council approve the nomination, the tree shall be included on the
Ashland Heritage Tree List adopted by resolution of the City Council.
C. The Southern Oregon University Spirit Tree, a Silver Maple (Acer Saccharinum) located
in the North Campus Village courtyard between the McLoughlin/Maka Yax and
Shasta/Waii Ka residence halls was named Tree of the Year in 2014. This tree was
preserved and protected through construction of the residence halls in 2012 at the urging
of students, staff and community members. The tree survived construction and is now
seen as a centerpiece of the campus that symbolizes unity between the University and the
people of Ashland. The University has requested that it be granted Heritage Tree status
and included on the Ashland Heritage Tree list.
D. Silver Maples have a special place in the hearts of the local native Shasta people.
Talking sticks were often fashioned from maple wood and were said to represent
gentleness. The transformation of leaves from green to crimson during autumn is
explained by native people during the Chasing the Bear myth. Traditionally, silver
maples also served as a food source providing sap for sugar, intoxicants and bread, and
Native American tribes in southern Oregon continue to use sliver maple sap for
ethnobotanical endeavors, including the treatment of coughs, cramps, dysentery, sore
eyes, measles, running sores and as diuretics. In considering the request, the Tree
Commission noted that the tree embodies much of what is loved and aspired to in
Ashland: an acknowledgement of our collective desire for peace and unity, a strong
stable structure that shelters and nurtures, continuity and connection, and our tie today to
our land's Native American heritage and Native American citizens.
E. At the April 18, 2017 the Tree Commission requested that the City Council include the
Page 1 of 3
Southern Oregon University Spirit Tree as the first tree on the Ashland Heritage Tree list.
The City Council approved this request under the consent agenda and directed staff to
come back with a resolution formally creating the Heritage Tree list.
THE CITY OF ASHLAND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City of Ashland City Council hereby creates the Ashland Heritage Tree List
as envisioned in ALUO 18.4.5.060.
SECTION 2. The City of Ashland City Council hereby conveys Heritage Tree status and
includes the Southern Oregon University Spirit Tree, a Silver Maple (Acer Saccharinum) located
in the North Campus Village Courtyard between the McLoughlin and Shasta residence halls and
the 2014 Ashland Tree of the Year, as Ashland's first Heritage Tree.
This resolution was duly PASSED and ADOPTED this 2t day of N i ..e
2017, and takes effect upon signing by the Mayor.
I, l /Ij+
Melissa Huhtala, City Recorder
SIGNED and APPROVED this 1,1tir- day of IVqu*tew~✓ , 2017.
roStroo berg, Mayor
d as to fo
,re
Revi .
David H. Lohman, City Attorney
Page 2 of 3
Ashland Heritage Tree List
The City of Ashland recognizes that specific trees in Ashland are deserving of special status due
to their distinctive form, size, age, location, species, unique qualities or historical significance; and
values the contribution which such trees make to the beauty and quality of life of Ashland.
1. The Southern Oregon University Spirit Tree, a Silver Maple (Acer Saccharinum)
located in the North Campus Village Courtyard between the McLoughlin and Shasta
residence halls. Also named Ashland Tree of the Year for 2014.
Page 3 of 3