A “Tree City” is a community formally committed to the organized management and expansion of its public tree resources, recognizing the value of a healthy urban forest. This designation signifies that a city or town has established a framework for effective, long-term stewardship of its trees, benefiting both the environment and residents. The commitment extends beyond simple tree planting to include maintenance, planning, and public education as part of a sustained municipal effort.
Defining the Tree City USA Designation
The specific program that grants this recognition is Tree City USA, established in 1976 as a collaborative effort. It is managed by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. Its mission is to encourage and recognize communities that demonstrate effective, structured management of their public trees, often referred to as the urban forest. This initiative provides a national framework for local governments to assess and improve their tree care practices. Currently, more than 3,500 communities across the United States have achieved this distinction.
The designation provides direction and technical assistance to municipal forestry programs. It acts as a catalyst for local officials and citizens to prioritize trees for the environmental, economic, and social benefits they provide. These benefits include improved air quality, reduced energy costs, and increased property values, demonstrating a return on the community’s investment in its natural infrastructure.
Mandatory Requirements for Recognition
To earn the Tree City USA title, a community must meet four non-negotiable standards designed to ensure a viable and continuous urban forestry program.
Tree Board or Department
The first standard requires the establishment of a Tree Board or Department, which delegates the responsibility for the care of all trees on community-owned property to a specific entity. This entity can be a volunteer citizen-led board or an existing city department.
Tree Care Ordinance
The second requirement is adopting a Tree Care Ordinance, which serves as the legal foundation for the community’s tree management program. This municipal code defines the policies for planting, maintaining, and removing public trees, providing the necessary legal authority to enforce proper tree care practices. The ordinance ensures that urban forestry decisions are based on established policy.
Annual Budget
A third standard mandates a Community Forestry Program with an Annual Budget of at least $2 per capita. This financial commitment ensures that the community dedicates sufficient resources to grow and maintain its public tree assets. This minimum expenditure can include funds for planting, tree removal, maintenance, administrative costs, and documented in-kind donations and volunteer labor.
Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation
Finally, a community must satisfy the fourth standard by holding an Arbor Day Observance and issuing an official Proclamation. The proclamation demonstrates the public officials’ support for the local tree program. The observance, often a tree planting event, helps to increase public awareness and educates residents about the importance of trees.
Maintaining the Status and Community Impact
Achieving the Tree City USA designation is not a one-time award, as communities must re-qualify annually to maintain their status. This annual renewal process involves submitting an application, typically by the end of the calendar year, which documents how the community met all four required standards over the previous 12 months. This consistent reporting ensures the community’s commitment to urban forestry is continuous and systematic.
Maintaining the designation offers tangible benefits that extend beyond mere recognition, creating a healthier and more sustainable environment for residents. For instance, strategically placed trees can reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling buildings by up to 25%, translating to significant cost savings for the community. Trees also act as natural infrastructure by intercepting rainfall, which helps to mitigate stormwater runoff and erosion control issues.
Furthermore, the urban forest contributes to public health and economic vitality; trees filter air pollutants and provide shade that can make neighborhoods cooler than areas without a canopy. This commitment to tree care often leads to increased property values, sometimes by as much as 7 to 20 percent, and fosters a greater sense of community pride and neighborhood connection.