Tree City USA is a national recognition program that requires submission of an annual application demonstrating your community’s commitment to community trees and forests.
Communities must meet all four standards through activities completed between January 1 and December 31. The Tree City USA application portal opens annually in September and remains open until the following spring. Find your state’s deadline to complete your application on time.
1. Prepare documentation for your application.
Review the Tree City USA standards and gather the appropriate documentation detailed in the “On your application you will provide” section of standards page.
2. Create account or log in to the Program Recognition Portal.
If this is the first time you or your community are applying for Tree City USA recognition, you will need to create an account in the Program Recognition Portal. Make sure you use an email account you check regularly, as this is the account we will send communication regarding your application. If you already have an account, you can skip to the Program Recognition Portal login page.
3. Complete the application.
Once your account is created you can either enter your community information or select your community if it has previously achieved Tree City USA recognition. You should complete each section of the application carefully.
4. Submit your application.
Once you have entered all the required information, you must submit the application for review.
5. Your application will go into review.
Your community’s application is first reviewed by your State Urban & Community Forestry staff, then it is reviewed by the Arbor Day Foundation. If there is something missing, incorrect, or unclear with your application materials, you will receive a notification that the application has been placed “In Revision” with comments on what needs to be corrected or addressed.
6. You'll receive notification of your application status.
Once all reviews and revisions (if any) have been completed you will receive a notification of the status of your application.
7. Need help? Here's who to contact.
If there are any issues during your application process you can reach out to your State Urban & Community Forestry staff or email [email protected].
Let’s Dig In
Your first step towards becoming a Tree City starts here. Fill out the application and you’ll be on your way to being a nationally recognized conservation leader.