Tree Campus Higher Education Standards

Establish a Campus Tree Advisory Committee comprised of staff, students, and community members, that meets regularly.

Standard Description:

• This committee brings together voices from across campus and the community to guide your tree-related goals. It must include at least one student, one faculty or staff member, one facilities representative, and one community partner. Their role is to support the planning and implementation of your campus tree care efforts and help meet the remaining standards.

Meeting the Standard:

• Start by identifying existing sustainability or green teams that can incorporate tree-focused work. If you’re building from scratch, recruit a mix of student leaders, faculty advisors, and grounds crew representatives. Consider involving your city forester or local nonprofit partners to add community perspective. Meet at least once annually to review your progress and goals.

On Your Application You Will:

• List one representative from each of the following audiences that serves on your Campus Tree Committee:
  • Student
  • Faculty
  • Facilities
  • Community Members
• Report how often your Campus Tree Advisory Committee meets throughout the year.

Create an implement a comprehensive plan that outlines how your campus will care for trees sustainably over time.

Standard Description:

• The Campus Tree Care Plan is a living document that guides your policies and practices for tree planting, maintenance, protection, and removal. It helps ensure long-term campus forest health and outlines the roles and responsibilities for tree care on campus.
• A Campus Tree Care Plan should be flexible enough to fit the needs and circumstances of the particular campus. The Tree Care Plan should be goal oriented and provide the opportunity to set good policy and clear guidance for planting, maintaining, and removing trees. It also provides education to the campus community, citizens, contractors, and consultants about the importance of the campus forest and the protection and maintenance of trees as part of the growth and land development process. 
• A Campus Tree Care Plan must include the following elements: 
  • Clearly stated purpose.
  • Responsible authority/department - who enforces the Campus Tree Care Plan.
  • Establishment of a Campus Tree Advisory Committee, terms of the representatives, and role committee plays.
  • Campus tree care policies for planting, landscaping, maintenance and removal including establishing and updating a list of recommended and prohibited species; managing for catastrophic events.
  • Protection and Preservation policies and procedures - include process for implementing tree protection plan including step-by-step process that every project must follow including construction and trenching.
  • Goals and Targets - develop at least one goal and target for your Campus Tree Plan. These could include (but are not limited to) tree canopy target, development of a link between the Campus Tree Plan and other green initiatives on campus or in the community; completion of a campus-wide tree inventory, etc. Include how the goal will be measured.
  • Tree damage assessment - enforcement, penalties, and appeals.
  • Prohibited practices.
  • Definitions of terminology related to campus trees.
  • Communication strategy - how the campus tree care plan will be communicated to the college community and contractors to heighten awareness about policies and procedures as well as the goals of the institution.

Meeting the Standard:

• Use existing landscape or facilities documents as a starting point. Focus on clear, accessible language, and be sure to include each of the sections outlines above. Collaborate with the key stakeholders and facilities staff to ensure the plan reflects real practices. Review and updated the plan annual or as needed with your Campus Tree Advisory Committee.
• Example Tree Care Plan Download
• Tree Care Plan Template Download

On Your Application You Will:

• Upload your current Campus Tree Care Plan as an attachment.
• Summarize your progress toward the goals and targets listed in the plan.

Invest annually in your campus tree care program to show your commitment to a healthy urban forest. 

Standard Description

• Campuses must show they have a recurring budget dedicated to their campuses tree program. It is suggested, but not mandatory, that campuses work towards an annual expenditure of $3 per full-time enrolled student.
• Cost of trees purchased
• Labor, equipment and supplies for tree planting, maintenance (pruning, watering, fertilization, mulching, competition control, etc.) and removal, if needed
• Value of volunteer labor and other contributions from student or civic organizations
• Staff time dedicated to campus forest planning, tree care contractors
• All associated costs of the campus tree management including:
  • public education related to the campus forest;
  • professional training;
  • related association memberships (International Society of Arboriculture and local chapter, Urban and Community Forestry Society, state urban forest council, etc.);
  • campus tree inventory

Meeting the Standard: 

• Start by tracking or analyzing existing budgets and expenses for tree care on your campus. Track expenses related to planting, pruning, removal, and care including staff time, equipment use, donation, or volunteer labor. 

On Your Application You Will:

• Report the funding spend on tree care for each of the following categories: 
  • Tree planting and initial care
  • Campus tree care management costs
  • Volunteer time (hours)
• Report the total numbers of trees planted, pruned, and removed on your campus for the application year
• Provide a short explanation for the removal of any trees
• Expenditures could include, but are not limited to:

Host an annual Arbor Day event, or other tree celebration, to engage and celebrate with your campus community.

Standard Description:

• An Arbor Day observance provides a golden opportunity to educate the campus community on the benefits of the trees on their campus property and in the community. The Arbor Day observance can be on the campus or held in conjunction with the community where the campus is located. Your observance may be held at an appropriate time for your campus as long as it is related to trees in some way.

Meeting the Standard:

• Plan a tree walk, panel discussion, planting ceremony, or educational campaign. Involve student groups or classes to help lead the event. Consider timing your observance near your state’s Arbor Day, National Arbor Day, or another eco-focused holiday to align with broader environmental efforts.

On Your Application You Will:

• Describe your Arbor Day observance and the date it occurred
• Attach at least one file (photo, flyer, social media post, etc.) as documentation of the event.