BAR Grants Heritage Tree Designation to a 200 Year-Old White Oak

A 200 Year-Old Swamp White Oak on Autenreith RoadOn Monday July 29, the Board of Architectural Review unanimously approved Scarsdale code’s “heritage tree” designation for the majestic, almost 200 year old swamp white oak (quercus bicolor) gracing the front lawn of 17 Autenrieth Road in the village center neighborhood of Old Scarsdale. Appearing in person, homeowner Deborah Russell made an impassioned request for heritage protection of this unique tree based on a certified arborist’s assessment. Madelaine Eppenstein, President of Friends of the Scarsdale Parks, Inc., which had submitted its letter of support for the designation, made the case for the historic importance of the tree.

Over the last decade, the heritage tree codified designation has been conferred for other iconic trees throughout the village at the request of Friends of the Scarsdale Parks—the New York non-profit conservation group in existence since 1957. These trees include the 400 year-old red oak on the lawn of the Scarsdale Woman’s Club, a stand of spring flowering tulip trees at Hyatt Field Park, and a grove of beech trees at Chase Park, the woodland village green for which Friends of the Parks was instrumental in advocating to prevent its development as a parking lot.

Village code section 281-7B establishes the criteria for the BAR’s “heritage tree” designation:

”A tree may be designated as a heritage tree upon a finding that it is unique and of importance to the community. The following factors may be considered by the Board of Architectural Review when considering designating a heritage tree:

(1) It is an outstanding specimen of a desirable species.

(2) It is one of the largest or oldest trees in Scarsdale.

(3) It possesses distinctive form, size, age, location, and/or historical significance.”

Residents whose property hosts a tree that they would like to have considered for heritage tree status may apply to the Building Department. The BAR will then review and vote on the application. The Friends of the Scarsdale Parks is happy to consult with residents about whether their tree is a good candidate and to assist with the application.

The legislative intent of Article I, Trees, section 281-1 is included here to remind homeowners of the critical importance of their trees:

“The Village of Scarsdale finds that trees within the Village provide an important contribution to the health, safety, aesthetics and general welfare of Scarsdale residents and the community at large. Trees provide shade and aesthetic appeal, enhance green space, improve air quality, reduce energy use and atmospheric carbon dioxide, provide and promote habitat for wildlife, impede soil erosion, aid water absorption, inhibit excess runoff and flooding, provide screening, offer a natural barrier to noise, provide other environmental benefits and generally enhance the quality of life within the Village. These social, economic, and ecological benefits often increase as trees mature and the Village community's investment in trees has accrued over many years. This investment can be rapidly lost and is not easily nor quickly replaced due to the long length of time for a tree to mature. The destruction of and damage to trees and the indiscriminate and excessive cutting of trees can create barren and unsightly conditions, as well as surface drainage problems, increase municipal costs to control drainage, impair the value of real property and adversely affect the environment, health and character of the community. This article [of the code] seeks to address these conditions and promote the preservation of trees within the Village.”