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If you go the extra mile, you can find some real giants living in the Oregon outdoors. This week, we visit “Heritage Trees” made famous for their age, their size and also their stories –stories that link us with the roots of Oregon history. When you’ve a “Heritage Tree” in your line of sight – and you’ve a camera in hand – you better have it in clear focus.

Steve Dierckx and Michael Horodyski are landscape photographers who say their eyes open wide with wonder and pride when a real giant comes into view: like the giant sequoias that line the walkway to the Washington County Courthouse in Hillsboro.

They join more than fifty other trees called Oregon’s Heritage Trees. They are part of a unique program sponsored by the Oregon Travel Information Council that was established in the mid-90′s to recognize Oregon’s special trees.

About the Author: Grant McOmie

Grant McOmie is a Pacific Northwest broadcast journalist, teacher and author who writes and produces stories and special programs about the people, places, outdoor activities and environmental issues of the Pacific Northwest. A fifth generation Oregon native, Grant’s roots run deepest in the central Oregon region near Prineville and Redmond where his family continues to live.

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  1. Friday links for the week | Exploring Portland's Natural Areas says…

    [...] Travel Oregon Blog: Grant’s Getaways: Oregon Heritage Trees: [...]

    Written on February 4th, 2011 / Flag this Comment

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