Heritage Tree Registry
The Whitpain Township Shade Tree Commission seeks to document and record trees of magnificent size, significant age and unusual species. The result of these efforts is the Heritage Tree Registry. An initial listing of such trees was first assembled in 1987. The first registry publication was in 2001 in conjunction with Whitpain Township's 300th anniversary.
Over the past several years, the Shade Tree Commission has:
The Shade Tree Commission has employed a certified arborist from Morris Arboretum to provide an expert evaluation and inspection of Township trees that have been designated Pennsylvania champion trees. Currently, there are four such trees in our community. As a result of this Registry, several more trees will be nominated as champion trees. The Commission has instituted a maintenance program to ensure these trees are property preserved and protected.
The purpose of this Registry is to identify Whitpain Township's historic, treasured and special trees.
Champion Tree Status
Champion Tree Status is dependent on the measurement of the circumference at breast height (CBH), the total height of the tree and the crown spread. CBH is made in inches at a point on the tree trunk, 4 1/2 feet above the ground. If the tree is growing on a slope, the point is determined at mid slope, half way between the highest and lowest point where the trunk meets the soil. One point is given for each inch of circumference. The height of the tree is the distance from the ground line at mid-slope of the trunk to the tallest point of the tree. One point is given for each foot of height. The crown spread is the horizontal measurement from leaf tip to leaf tip of the shortest and longest spread of the tree. The numbers are added together and divided by two giving the average crown spread. The sum of these three measurements provide the total number of points awarded to a tree.