• My community is best described as a:*

  • Your community is eligible to become a Tree City.

  • Tribal communities are eligible for Tree Cities of the World recognition, and your tribal council can help with this process. Visit www.treecitiesoftheworld.org or contact us at treecitiesoftheworld@arborday.org to learn more.

  • Military bases are eligible for Tree City USA recognition. Reach out to your base administration office to get the conversation started.

  • Your county is only eligible to become a Tree City if it has jurisdiction over public trees. Reach out to the county’s administration office to see if you qualify.

  • Currently, this type of area is not eligible for Tree City USA recognition. Sign up for our email list here, and we’ll send you updates if anything changes.

  • Which phrase best describes you?

  • City employees are responsible for assembling Tree City USA applications, meaning you can play a direct role in helping your community earn recognition! You will need to have access to the proper budget documentation and paperwork (see below) to apply.

  • It’s great that you’re interested in helping green up your community! Concerned citizens like yourself can advocate for Tree City USA recognition by reaching out to their local government officials. City employees then will assemble the official application.

    Use our template email tool to get the conversation started.

  • Does your community have a designated tree board or department responsible for its public trees?

  • Fantastic! Your community meets Standard 1 – Tree Board or Department. You’re on the path to earning Tree City USA recognition.

  • Having a designated tree board or department is the first standard for earning Tree City USA recognition. Clear legal responsibility over public trees is necessary for communities to begin managing their urban forest, and delegating decisions to set people makes the entire process much easier.

  • Having a designated tree board or department is the first standard for earning Tree City USA recognition. Reach out to your public officials to see whether you have one or not!

  • Does your community have a public tree care ordinance?

  • Great! This is the hardest part of earning Tree City USA recognition. Your community will meet Standard 2 – Tree Care Ordinance.

  • Your urban forest is better off when it is protected by rules and regulations that ensure its long-term care and maintenance. Take a look at our sample tree ordinances to see what these can look like for your community.

  • Keep up the good work. This is the most difficult aspect of earning Tree City USA recognition! Once your policy is in place, you will have the proper safeguards to manage and protect your urban forest.

  • Your urban forest is better off when it is protected by rules and regulations that ensure its long-term care and maintenance. Check in your municipal code or zoning ordinance for language about trees. If you don’t find any, take a look at our sample tree ordinances to see what you can implement for your community.

  • How is urban forestry work funded in your city?

  • Great! You’ve met Standard 3 – Dedicated Annual Expenditures. As the saying goes, your community is putting its money where its mouth is, showing a commitment to its urban forest through annual investments.

  • Check out our expenditures list on our website to see what types of expenses qualify toward the $2 per capita budget requirement. In-kind volunteer services and donations, as well as other investments you might not expect, are eligible to count toward your budget.

  • Does your community host an annual Arbor Day event that celebrates trees?

  • Fantastic. Your community meets the first of two criteria for Standard 4 – An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation.

  • It’s fantastic that your community has celebrated trees in the past. Click here to find ideas for annual tree celebrations and get one step closer to earning Tree City USA recognition.

  • A community tree celebration is an excellent way to bring people together and build support for your urban forest! Click here to find ideas for annual tree celebrations and get one step closer to earning Tree City USA recognition.

  • A community tree celebration is an excellent way to bring people together and build support for your urban forest! Click here to find ideas for annual tree celebrations and get one step closer to earning Tree City USA recognition.

  • Does your city issue a mayoral proclamation for Arbor Day each year?

  • Your community meets the second of two criteria for Standard 4 – An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation. Great job!

  • A mayoral proclamation puts your community’s trees on the public stage. Click here to find a sample Arbor Day proclamation for your mayor to sign each year.

  • Ready to take the next step?

    Share your email with us, and we’ll send updates and tips to help you earn recognition!

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