Thousands of communities across the country consider their tree canopy a source of pride and continually strive to improve it. And through the Tree City USA program, they’re garnering national attention and recognition for it.
Tree City USA® is an elite designation for communities that meet minimum standards set by the Arbor Day Foundation for community forestry programs. Our foresters help leaders qualify for, apply, and maintain the distinction.
Founded by the Arbor Day Foundation in 1976, the Tree City USA program provides assistance and recognition to incorporated communities and military bases that maintain a continuously active tree management program. Cities of any population, from less than 100 to more than 1 million, can qualify.
See if your community has received the Tree City USA designation.
City of Lufkin recieves 29 years Tree City USA recognition.
Benefits
Energy conservation
Trees help conserve energy by casting summer shade and blocking chilly winter winds. Strategically placed trees help conserve energy around your home.
Stormwater control
To cope with storm runoff, cities must construct expensive systems to capture and control stormwater. Trees intercept rainfall that would otherwise run off of impervious surfaces such as rooftops, roads, and parking lots.
Clean & cool air
As a by-product of commerce and development, urban areas generate heat and pollution. Large shade trees filter air and reduce ambient temperatures.
Property values
One healthy shade tree can increase property values up to 10%. Invest in your home or community by planting trees. Explore the free National Tree Benefit Calculator by iTree to see your canopy investment.
Job creation
The care and management of trees contributes substantially to the Texas economy, providing an estimated $4.7 billion in industry output and over 57,000 jobs.
Community well-being and human health
Many studies have shown that a treed environment helps reduce stress and helps people focus better and stay on task. Neighborhoods with healthy trees have lower crime rates and street trees reduce the frequency and severity of traffic accidents. Explore our webpage on Healthy Trees, Healthy Lives Initiative.
Funding opportunities
Eligible communities and organizations that participate in our Community Forestry Grants program can receive bonus points towards their grant applications when they attain Tree City USA status or are actively seeking Growth Awards.
Grassroots efforts & self-determination in Texas communities
The Arbor Day Foundation programs are a free framework for your community to decide how you want to support and celebrate trees in your community.
Enrollment criteria
Standard 1: A forestry department or tree board
Your community must maintain a professional staff arborist, forestry department, or have a tree board. A tree board is a group of concerned citizens, usually volunteers, charged by ordinance to guide a comprehensive city tree management program.
Standard 2: A public tree care ordinance
The ordinance should determine public tree-care policies for planting, maintenance, and removals. Check out this Model Public Tree Care Ordinance Tutorial to review an ordinance and/or create your own.
Standard 3: A community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2/capita
Your community must budget and spend at least $2 per capita, annually, for its forestry program, these are Qualified Expenses.
Qualified Expenses Chart
Standard 4: An Arbor Day observance and proclamation
The mayor or town council that oversees your community must issue a proclamation declaring the observance of Arbor Day in your community, and an Arbor Day celebration must take place.
Download the Tree City USA information packet.
Register
After meeting the above standards, request a user ID and password from the Arbor Day Foundation’s online application site. Complete the form and attach supporting materials. At a minimum, the application needs to include the following attachments:
- Names of tree board members or city officials in charge of managing community trees.
- Copy of your Public Tree Care Ordinance.
- One page summary of tree-related expenditures for the most recent 12-month period.
- One page summary of annual accomplishments including estimated number of trees planted, pruned and removed.
- Arbor Day proclamation signed within the past year by the current mayor. This is to certify that the current city leadership supports the tree program.
- A news release, press clipping, web posting, brochure, photo, video, or other such items from the Arbor Day ceremony. This is to ascertain that an Arbor Day event of some kind took place in the community.
- Apply for recertification each year by Dec. 31.
What happens after my city gains Tree City USA Status?
For those who go above and beyond the call of duty, there is the Tree City USA Growth Award. Certified communities can qualify if they initiate new tree management activities or expand current activities over the previous year.
Additional resources and training
Tree Board University
Strengthen your advocacy through Tree Board University. This online training helps you learn about trees, people and citizen advisory roles.
Urban & Community Forestry Representatives
We have highly skilled and dedicated staff available to assist community members in developing local programming. Please review our regional map to find your representative.