Does the Baton Rouge "Tree Registry of Ancient, Historic & Unique Trees" Still Exist?

A web article by S.Shurtz dated 7/15/76 was titled “An Ordinance Creating the Tree Registry of Ancient, Historic and Unique Trees” (excerpts below).  Thereafter, an ordinance was passed in EBR Parish in 1996 to create the “Tree Registry of Ancient, Historic and Unique Trees”.  During Mayor B.Simpson’s term, a 2003-2004  “Good Neighbors How-To Guide: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions on Public Services” http://brgov.com/dept/neighbors/OldCD/pdf/CanDoGuide03.pdf  provided details on how to submit applications to this registry…including the advice to pick up the application form at the local EBR public library.

Today, I tried to view the registry at the local library and tried to locate application forms.  Neither the Bluebonnet or Goodwood (Main) branches of the EBR Public Library could help me.  No one knew what this was.

Is this registry still active?

From “An Ordinance Creating the Tree Registry of Ancient, Historic and Unique Trees”:

Program Statement:
The City Master Plan, the "Horizon Plan" sets forth principles for planning for the wise use of land and natural resources in East Baton Rouge Parish Louisiana. Part of this planning activity involves educational programs that would promote the wise use of land.  In an effort to improve public awareness and attitudes regarding the importance of trees and their environment to this community, this program will enlist public participation in identifying those trees which, by virtue of their size, age, historic significance, or other uniqueness, can be recognized as being the most noteworthy representatives of their kind in East Baton Rouge Parish. It is further expected that the recognition and attendant notoriety will provide for the enhanced protection of these, and ultimately other, trees in our community.


Purpose:
By calling attention to "special" members of the EBR tree community, and by enlisting the public in the identification process, the program will create a direct link between the recognized trees and the human or cultural community. The ultimate purpose of the program is to use this linkage as a means of encouraging the protection of these important trees. Through the process of educating the tree owners and others, it will teach the methodologies of tree preservation in order to create and insure a future tree legacy for the parish and to build upon past efforts.  By using ancient, historic and unique trees as examples, we can stimulate a greater understanding of trees and their importance to the community and perhaps encourage an informed public to plant trees for future generations to enjoy.

• Standards for Acceptance into the Registry (for each category):

  A. Ancient:
  

  • Minimum size (circumference at Breast Height) for each Species. (Live Oak 17'-0" cbh) The Tree Commission will develop a Species list including minimum acceptable sizes for each species.
  • Species listing to include all major native trees and all exotic ornamentals which can be classified as a long-lived species with a minimum expected life span of 50 to 75 years.

• Tree nominations for inclusion on the East Baton Rouge Parish Tree Registry are encouraged from all citizens. Written nominations signed by the Owner of the tree should be made to the East Baton Rouge Parish Tree Commission through the Office of Landscape & Forestry according to the following procedure.
• A fill-in-the-blanks application form is available in all public libraries, public gardens, private retail garden centers and at City Hall. This application form will be made available to any group, family or individual interested in nominating a tree or trees to the Registry.
• Nominations will be accepted at any time during the year on or before October 1. After this date staff in the East Baton Rouge Parish Office of Landscape & Forestry will review, measure, assess, catalogue and photograph nominated trees and deliver findings and recommendations to the Tree Commission in November.
• The Tree Commission will review staff recommendations and decide on final eligibility. Final selections will be recorded in December in "Official" Registry of Ancient, Historic and Unique Trees.
• Entries selected for induction will be recorded in an official database to be maintained concurrently by the Office of Landscape and Forestry and the Planning Commission. Tree locations will also be mapped and plotted by both agencies
• All annual updates will be furnished to the East Baton Rouge Public Library for future reference and public access. Appropriate announcements will be made in print and through electronic media.

For additional information, please contact:
East Baton Rouge Parish Tree Commission c/o The Office of Landscape & Forestry,
Steve Shurtz, Landscape Architect-City Forester,
14350 Old Hammond Highway Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816
225-275-7995
http://www.greenlaws.lsu.edu/ebrparish.htm