The major criteria for heritage tree designation are age, rarity, and size, as well as aesthetic, botanical, ecological, and historical value.
[2] Heritage trees in Singapore are protected by law under the Heritage Trees Scheme adopted on 17 August 2001.
The oak is depicted as England's heritage tree.
[3] In the US, the first state-sponsored heritage tree program began in 1995 in Oregon with the Giant Sitka Spruce.
[5] In the state of Washington, there are several categories of heritage trees, such as Historical, Specimen, Rare, or Significant Grove.