tree city USA sign
Growing communities

Tree City USA is an annual national recognition program designed to raise awareness of the value of community trees, set foundational standards for communities of all sizes, and celebrate community improvement.

Since 1976, the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program has recognized communities of all sizes, from Sibley, North Dakota to New York City. Tree City USA national recognition helps communities demonstrate and promote their commitment to a greener place to call home.

3,587

Recognized Tree Cities

991K+

Trees planted annually

$2B+

Invested in trees this year

48%

Of the U.S. lives in a Tree City

Put your community on the map

We started with 42 communities in 16 states. Nearly half a century later, Tree City USA partners can be found in all 50 states, making an enormous impact across America. 

 

Explore the map to find communities that share your commitment to trees.

Leadership in Action

Commitment requires accountability. We’ve crafted our four standards to be inclusive of communities of all sizes while ensuring consistency across the program. To be recognized as a Tree City USA, communities must apply annually with activities occurring between January 1 and December 31 that meet or exceed the four standards.

Standard 1: A Tree Board or Department 

Communities must identify who is responsible for managing public trees. The responsibility for community trees could be held or shared by a community tree board, a department, or position like an arborist, forester or other community employee. Identifying who is responsible for community trees ensures accountability, consistency, and clarity in tree maintenance decisions for public trees.

Standard 2: A Public Tree Care Ordinance

Ordinances guide communities in the establishment, conservation, protection and maintenance of community trees and forests. Codified and enforced ordinances help communities maximize the benefits of community trees, creating more livable communities.

Standard 3: Annual Expenditure of $2 Per Capita on Community Tree Care Activities

Trees are an investment in the health, comfort, and livability of a community. That’s why Tree City USA communities allocate a minimum of $2 per capita towards community forestry, helping to cover expenses around planting and maintaining trees. See Qualified Expenses to explore the eligible expenditures.

Standard 4: An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation 

Communities have been celebrating Arbor Day since 1872! Recognized Tree City USA communities take part in the celebration through official proclamations and events highlighting the value of trees. The events help bring visibility to the importance of tree management efforts and can be used to honor dedicated volunteers or civil servants. Arbor Day can be observed at any time during the year of recognition and can be part of an Earth Day event or other community event as long as trees play a central role in the celebration.

Hear from Leaders Like You

An important badge of honor for our community…it recognizes our commitment to growing and maintaining our urban forest.

Gordon Matassa
Urban Forestry Project Coordinator (Oakland, California)

We are not only beautifying our community, but also improving our stormwater management to mitigate flooding in this low-lying area.

Jamie Shorkey
Landscape Plan Reviewer (Kenner, Louisiana)

We hope to keep the flag flying at City Hall as a sign of the value we place on our canopy for aesthetics, a healthy environment, and an economic resource.

Connie Baggett
Director of Program Management (Brewton, Alabama)

Tree City USA Partners

Tree City USA is an Arbor Day Foundation Program in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

Apply today

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.

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Our Community Forestry Connection newsletter keeps you up to date on programs, best practices, and opportunities for conservation leadership.