About Tree City USA
Cooler temperatures. Cleaner air. Higher property values. Healthier residents.
The benefits trees bring to urban environments are endless — and by earning Tree City USA recognition, your community can experience them firsthand.
The Tree City USA program provides communities with a four-step framework to maintain and grow their tree cover. It also gives them an avenue to celebrate their work, showing residents, visitors, and the entire country that they’re committed to the mission of environmental change.
Is your city ready to apply?
Take the quiz to find outIn 2023
3,577
Recognized Cities  
$2,907,132,021
Invested in Urban Forestry
998,302
Trees Planted
Program History
Started in 1976, Tree City USA is one of the Arbor Day Foundation’s oldest programs. Our founders had a vision for a greener, healthier America, and hoped this initiative would inspire change on a nationwide level.
The first Tree City USA cohort was comprised of 42 communities in 16 states. Today, the program includes more than 3,600 communities from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.
We’ve seen a lot of change over the years — but our participants’ passion for trees has remained the same.
Our story isn’t over. We hope to continue growing our network, city by city, until every American can live in a Tree City USA community.
Why Become a Tree City USA Community?
A thriving urban forest offers many advantages to communities. Here are just a few:
- Trees help absorb the sounds of traffic in urban areas by 40%.
- Neighborhoods with trees are seven to nine degrees cooler than those without.
- Trees reduce energy costs up to 25% by shading buildings and protecting them from winter winds.
- Homes with trees have higher property values.
- Green space plays a major role in improving mental and physical health.
- Planting and maintaining trees absorbs carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, mitigating the effects of climate change.
Publicly demonstrating your commitment to the environment is a great way to build pride among residents, as well as position your community as an attractive place to live. To help you share your award, we send signs, flags, press releases, and other materials after your acceptance.
Hear from the Network
What does Tree City USA recognition mean to your community?
Become a Tree City USA Community
Your community can receive annual Tree City recognition by meeting four overarching standards. They include:
- Maintaining a tree board or department
- Having a community tree ordinance
- Spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry
- Celebrating Arbor Day
Tree City USA Standards
To qualify as a Tree City USA community, you must meet four standards established by the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters. These standards were established to ensure that every qualifying community would have a viable tree management program and that no community would be excluded because of size.
Four Standards for Tree City USA Recognition
Standard 1
A Tree Board or Department
Someone must be legally responsible for the care of all trees on city- or town-owned property. By delegating tree care decisions to a professional forester, arborist, city department, citizen-led tree board or some combination, city leaders determine who will perform necessary tree work. The public will also know who is accountable for decisions that impact community trees. Often, both professional staff and an advisory tree board are established, which is a good goal for most communities.
The formation of a tree board often stems from a group of citizens. In some cases a mayor or city officials have started the process. Either way, the benefits are immense. Involving residents and business owners creates wide awareness of what trees do for the community and provides broad support for better tree care.
Standard 2
A Public Tree Care Ordinance
Cities and towns in the U.S. have both public and private property within their jurisdictional boundaries. Trees on public property are a public good, and caring for these trees is a vital element of the Tree City USA program. A public tree care ordinance or law forms the foundation of a city’s tree care program; it provides an opportunity to set good policy and back it with the force of law when necessary.
A key section of a qualifying ordinance is one that assigns authority over public trees. This could be through the establishment of a tree board or forestry department—or both—and gives one of them the responsibility for public tree care (as reflected in Standard 1).
Qualifying ordinances will also provide clear guidance for planting, maintaining, and/or removing trees from streets, parks, and other public spaces.
Importantly, a public tree care ordinance protects public trees at all times, not just during the development process. In other words, the policies for tree planting, care, and removal of trees codified in the ordinance must be continuous, not triggered by an event like landscaping requirements or the land development process.
Beyond that, the ordinance should be flexible enough to fit the needs and circumstances of the particular community. There are many ways to strengthen a tree ordinance, including the task of crafting and implementing a plan of work, a clause protecting public trees from damage, or the requirements for tree care businesses.
For tips and a checklist of important items to consider in writing or improving a tree ordinance, see Tree City USA Bulletin #9.
Standard 3
A Community Forestry Program With an Annual Budget of at Least $2 Per Capita
City trees provide many benefits—clean air, clean water, shade and beauty to name a few—but they also require an investment to remain healthy and sustainable. By providing support at or above the $2 per capita minimum, a community demonstrates its commitment to grow and tend these valuable public assets. Budgets and expenditures require planning and accountability, which are fundamental to the long-term health of the tree canopy and the Tree City USA program.
To meet this standard each year, the community must document at least $2 per capita toward the planting, care and removal of city trees—and the planning efforts to make those things happen. At first this may seem like an impossible barrier to some communities. However, a little investigation usually reveals that more than this amount is already being spent on tree care. If not, this may signal serious neglect that will cost far more in the long run. In such a case, working toward Tree City USA recognition can be used to reexamine the community's budget priorities and redirect funds to properly care for its tree resources before it is too late.
Standard 4
An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation
An effective program for community trees would not be complete without an annual Arbor Day ceremony. Citizens join together to celebrate the benefits of community trees and the work accomplished to plant and maintain them. By passing and reciting an official Arbor Day proclamation, public officials demonstrate their support for the community tree program and complete the requirements for becoming a Tree City USA!
This is the least challenging—and probably most enjoyable—standard to meet. An Arbor Day celebration can be simple and brief or an all-day or all-week observation. It can include a tree planting event, tree care activities or an award ceremony that honors leading tree planters. For children, Arbor Day may be their only exposure to the green world or a springboard to discussions about the complex issue of environmental quality.
The benefits of Arbor Day go far beyond the shade and beauty of new trees for the next generation. Arbor Day is a golden opportunity for publicity and to educate homeowners about proper tree care. Utility companies can join in to promote planting small trees beneath power lines or being careful when digging. Fire prevention messaging can also be worked into the event, as can conservation education about soil erosion or the need to protect wildlife habitat.
Resources to Help You Apply
Several tools are available to help you meet the four standards and complete your application for Tree City USA recognition. Please take advantage of these resources to improve your chances of becoming a Tree City USA Community.
- Sample Tree City USA Ordinance - With Tree Board: PDF | PDF (Annotated) | DOC | DOC (Annotated)
- Sample Tree City USA Ordinance - Without Tree Board: PDF | DOC
- Tree City USA Standard 3 Worksheet
- Qualified Standard 3 Expenses
- Sample Arbor Day Proclamation
- Sample 150th Arbor Day Proclamation
- Printable Tree City USA Application
- Printable Tree City Growth Award Application
- Application Checklist
- Application Tutorial Video
Start Your Application
Apply NowAdvocate for Tree City USA Recognition
Looking to make the case for your community to join the program? Use this email, PDF, or Powerpoint to get the conversation started with your mayor or other leaders.
Online Store
Visit our online store to order promotional materials for your community.
State Forestry Contacts
Every state has a dedicated Urban and Community Forestry Program Coordinator. These coordinators provide technical, educational, and financial assistance to communities in their state. They can also help you start your Tree City USA application.
Find Your State CoordinatorUrge Your Community Leaders
If you’re a community member interested in encouraging your community leaders to apply for Tree City USA recognition, a letter or email may help urge them along. Below is sample text to get you started. Be sure to tailor it to your own experiences for the best results.
Trees make our town a special place to live. They shade our homes, our businesses and our streets. They clean our air and water, reduce storm water run-off, increase our property values, reduce energy costs and make our neighborhoods greener, safer, and healthier. And I know that as a leader in our community, you share in understanding the value of community trees.
Tree City USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation would highlight our commitment to urban forestry, community improvement and civic pride. I urge you to help our town earn this annual, national recognition by supporting community forestry in our city.
Our trees are a vital asset. In fact, our green infrastructure is likely the only part of our city’s infrastructure that actually increases in value and service over time. The Tree City USA program provides an outstanding framework for managing this important asset. Thank you for your support of our trees as a vital community resource. I’m happy to help with Tree City USA application in any way I can.
Sincerely,
State Deadlines
If the deadline to apply for your state has passed, please reach out to your state coordinator for a deadline extension.
State Urban Forestry Coordinators
State Urban Forestry Coordinators are specialists that can provide support and expertise to help you care for trees in your community.
ALABAMA
Alabama Forestry Commission
513 Madison Ave.
Montgomery, AL 36104
334-467-7971 | [email protected]
Visit Website
ALASKA
Alaska Division of Forestry
550 W. Seventh Avenue, Suite 1450
Anchorage, AK 99501-3566
907-269-8465 | Fax: 907.269.8931 | [email protected]
Visit Website
AMERICAN SAMOA
PO Box 5319, ASCC - AHNR
Pago Pago, AS 96799
011-684-699-1394 or 1575 | [email protected]
ARIZONA
Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management
1110 W. Washington St. Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85007
408-769-4184 | [email protected]
Visit Website
The Recognition Program Contact for Arizona is:
Timara Crichlow - Urban and Community Forestry Specialist
Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management
1110 W. Washington St. Suite 500
Phoenix, AZ 85007
480-878-6551 |
ARKANSAS
Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Forestry Division
258 Lower Dam Pike
Arkadelphia, AR 71923
479-228-7929 | [email protected]
Visit Website
The Recognition Program Contact for Arkansas is:
Harold Fisher - Urban Forestry Partnership Coordinator
Arkansas Department of Agriculture – Forestry Division
#20 Industrial Blvd,
Greenbrier, AR 72058
501-580-4054
[email protected]
CALIFORNIA
CAL Fire
P.O. Box 944246
Sacramento, CA 94244
916-214-5420 | [email protected]
Visit Website
COLORADO
Colorado State Forest Service
4777 National Western Drive, Office H-A416
Denver, CO 80021
970-218-8508 | [email protected]
Visit Website
CONNECTICUT
DEP Forestry Division
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106
860-424-3178 | [email protected]
Visit Website
The Recognition Program Contact for Connecticut is:
Chris Teter - Urban Forestry Partnership Coordinator
DEP Forestry Division
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106-5127
203-295-1897 | [email protected]
DELAWARE
Delaware Forest Service
2320 S. DuPont Highway
Dover, DE 19901
302-698-4578 | [email protected]
Visit Website
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
District Department of Transportation
55 M Street, SE Suite 400
Washington, DC 20003
202-497-0227 | [email protected]
FEDERAL STATES OF MICRONESIA
Palikir Station
PO Box P-12
Pohnpei, FM 96941
011-691-320-2646 | [email protected]
FLORIDA
Florida Forest Service
3125 Conner Blvd. Suite i-275
Tallahassee, FL 32399
850-681-5874 | [email protected]
Visit Website
FSM-STATE OF CHUUK
P.O. Box 189
Weno, Chuuk FSM 96942
691-330-6219
FSM-STATE OF KOSRAE
Development Review Commission
P.O. Box DRC
Kosrae, FSM 96944
691-370-2076 | [email protected]
FSM-STATE OF POHNPEI
Division of Forestry and Marine Conservation
P.O. Box 562
Kolonia, Pohnpei FSM 96941
691-320-7457 | [email protected]
FSM-STATE OF YAP
P.O. Box 463
Yap, FSM 96943
691-350-2183 | [email protected]
GEORGIA
Georgia Forestry Commission
1055 E. Whitehall Rd.
Athens, GA 30605
(478) 951-8286 | [email protected]
Visit Website
The Recognition Program Contact for Georgia is:
Lindsay Neumann - Urban & Community Forestry Partnership Coordinator
Georgia Forestry Commission
5645 Riggins Mill Road
Dry Branch, GA 31020
478-874-9139
[email protected]
GUAM
Forestry and Soil Resources Division
163 Dairy Road
Mangilao, GU 96923
671-300-7976 | [email protected]
HAWAII
Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325
Honolulu, HI 96813
808-270-8960 | [email protected]
Visit Website
IDAHO
Idaho Dept. of Lands
300 N 6th St. Ste 103
Boise, ID 83702
208-626-1779 | [email protected]
Visit Website
ILLINOIS
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702
217-558-2517 | [email protected]
Visit Website
INDIANA
Indiana DNR, Division of Forestry
402 W. Washington, W 296
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-234-4386 | Fax: 317-233-3863 | [email protected]
Visit Website
IOWA
Iowa Department of Natural Resources - Forestry Section
6200 Park Ave. Ste 200
Des Moines, IA 50321
515-725-8454 | [email protected]
Visit Website
KANSAS
Kansas Forest Service
2610 Claflin Rd
Manhattan, KS 66502
785-473-1064 | [email protected]
Visit Website
KENTUCKY
Kentucky Division of Forestry
300 Sower Blvd.
Frankfort, KY 40601
502-782-3932 | [email protected]
Visit Website
The Recognition Program Contact for Kentucky is:
Jack Baggett – Urban and Community Partnership Coordinator
Kentucky Division of Forestry
300 Sower Blvd.
Frankfort, KY 40601
502-782-0841 |
LOUISIANA
Louisiana Community Forests
C/O Baton Rouge Green
2241 Christian Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
225-408-3749 | [email protected]
Visit Website
The Recognition Program Contact for Louisiana is:
Devon Brits- Partnership Coordinator
Louisiana Community Forests
C/O Baton Rouge Green
2241 Christian Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
225-408-3748
[email protected]
MAINE
Maine Forest Service
22 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0022
207-287-4987 | Fax: 207-287-8422 | [email protected]
Visit Website
MARYLAND
MD DNR Forest Service
580 Taylor Ave E-1
Annapolis, MD 21401
443-775-0898 | [email protected]
Visit Website
MASSACHUSETTS
MA Dept of Conservation & Recreation
251 Causeway Street., Ste. 600
Boston, MA 02114-2104
617-626-1468 | [email protected]
Visit Website
The Recognition Program Contact for Massachusetts is:
Mathew Cahill - Community Action Forester
DCR Urban & Community Forestry
40 Cold Storage Drive
PO Box 484
Amherst MA, 01004
617-626-1464
MICHIGAN
MI DNR - Forest Resources Division
525 W Allegan St., 4th Floor
Lansing, MI 48933
313-316-4137 | [email protected]
Visit Website
MINNESOTA
Minnesota DNR Forestry
500 Lafayette Road N
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-425-9196 | [email protected]
Visit Website
MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi Forestry Commission
3139 Highway 468 West
Pearl, MS 39208
769-237-2934 | [email protected]
Visit Website
The Recognition Program Contact for Mississippi is:
Donna Yowell
Mississippi Forestry Commission
164 Trace Cove. Dr.
Madison, MS 39110
601-672-0755
[email protected]
MISSOURI
Missouri Department of Conservation
PO Box 180
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573.522.4115 ext 3306 | [email protected]
Visit Website
MONTANA
Dept. of State Lands
2705 Spurgin Rd.
Missoula, MT 59804
406-542-4288 | [email protected]
Visit Website
NEBRASKA
Nebraska Forest Service
PO BOX 830964
Lincoln, NE 68583
402-472-5049 | [email protected]
Visit Website
NEVADA
Nevada Division of Forestry
4747 W. Las Vegas Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89108
702-683-0639 | [email protected]
Visit Website
NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands
172 Pembroke Road
Concord, NH 03301
603-271-2901 | [email protected]
Visit Website
NEW JERSEY
New Jersey Forest Service
NJ
609-726-1621 | [email protected]
Visit Website
NEW MEXICO
New Mexico State Forestry
4001 Edith Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107
505-690-8531 | Alyssa.O'[email protected]
Visit Website
NEW YORK
NYS Dept. of Env. Conservation
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233
518-402-9425 | [email protected]
Visit Website
The Recognition Program Contact for New York is:
Amy Mackenzie — Urban Forester
NYS Dept. of Env. Conservation
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233
518-402-8975
[email protected]
NORTH CAROLINA
NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
North Carolina Forest Service
1616 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
919-857-4842 | [email protected]
Visit Website
The Recognition Program Contact for North Carolina is:
Sarah Hollis — Community Forestry Coordinator
NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
NC Forest Service
1616 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
919-857-4841
[email protected]
NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota Forest Service
NDSU-Dept 7680, Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108
701-652-5055 | [email protected]
Visit Website
NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
CNMI Dept. of Lands & Natural Resources
PO Box 10007, Lower Base
Saipan, MP 96950
670-322-5018 | [email protected]
OHIO
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry
2045 Morse Road, Bldg. H-1
Columbus, OH 43229
614-265-6509 | [email protected]
Visit Website
Please contact your Regional Urban Forester with application questions.
Click here to find your Regional Urban Forester’s contact information.
OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry
2800 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
405-522-6150 | [email protected]
Visit Website
OREGON
Oregon Department of Forestry
2600 State St., Building D
Salem, OR 97310
971-375-7163 | [email protected]
Visit Website
The Recognition Program Contact for Oregon is:
Brittany Oxford - Community Assistance Forester
2600 State Street
Salem, OR 97310
971-375-6346 |
PALAU
PO Box 460
Koror, PALAU 96940
011-680-488-2504 | [email protected]
PENNSYLVANIA
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
400 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17105
717-705-7988 | [email protected]
Visit Website
PUERTO RICO
Department of Natural and Environmental Resources
PO Box 366147
San Juan, PR 00936
787-999-2200-5417 | [email protected]
Visit Website
REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS
Office of the Chief of Agriculture
P.O. Box 1727
Majuro, MH 96960
011-692-625-3206 | [email protected]
RHODE ISLAND
Division of Forest Environment
235 Promenade St, Suite 394
Providence, RI 02908
401-537-4067 | [email protected]
Visit Website
SOUTH CAROLINA
Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator
5500 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
843-209-7536 | [email protected]
Visit Website
SOUTH DAKOTA
SD Dept. of Agriculture, Resource Conservation & Forestry Division
4305 S Louise Ave, Suite 107
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
605-362-2830 | [email protected]
Visit Website
TENNESSEE
Tennessee Department of Agriculture/Forestry
PO Box 40627
Nashville, TN 37204
615-815-6921 | [email protected]
Visit Website
TEXAS
Texas A&M Forest Service
200 Technology Way
College Station, TX 77845
979-402-1339 | [email protected]
Visit Website
The Recognition Program Contact for Texas is:
Morgan Abbott - Urban & Community Forestry Partnership Coordinator
Texas A&M Forest Service
200 Technology Way
College Station, TX 77845
909-458-6650 |
UTAH
Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands
1594 W North Temple, Suite 3520
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
801-330-7976 | [email protected]
Visit Website
VERMONT
VT Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation
111 West Street
Essex Junction, VT 05452
802-522-6015 | [email protected]
Visit Website
VIRGIN ISLANDS
Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture
RR1 Box 10345
Kingshill, VI 00850
| [email protected]
VIRGINIA
Virginia Dept. of Forestry
900 Natural Resources Drive, Suite 800
Charlottesville, VA 22903
434-220-9185 | [email protected]
Visit Website
WASHINGTON
Department of Natural Resources
1111 Washington St. SE, MS Box 47037
Olympia, WA 98504-7037
360-485-8651 | [email protected]
Visit Website
The Recognition Program Contact for Washington is:
Julia Kast — Evergreen Communities Coordinator
Department of Natural Resources
1111 Washington ST SE
P.O. Box 47037
Olympia, WA 98504
564-669-3294
[email protected]
WEST VIRGINIA
Division of Forestry
1106 Railroad St.
Farmington, WV 26571
304-825-6983 | [email protected]
Visit Website
WISCONSIN
Wisconsin DNR
101 S. Webster St., PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921
608-535-7582 | [email protected]
Visit Website
The Recognition Program Contact for Wisconsin is:
Laura Buntrock
107 Sutliff Ave.
Rhinelander, WI 54501-3349
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/UrbanForests
WYOMING
Wyoming State Forestry Division
5500 Bishop Blvd
Cheyenne, WY 82002
307-777-3626 | [email protected]
Visit Website
2023 Recognized Communities
District of Columbia
State Arbor Day: Last Friday in AprilState Tree: Scarlet Oak
State Summary PDF
Mississippi
State Arbor Day: Second Friday in FebruaryState Tree: Southern Magnolia
State Summary PDF
Nevada
State Arbor Day: Last Friday in AprilState Tree: Singleleaf Pinyon and Bristlecone Pine
State Summary PDF
South Carolina
State Arbor Day: First Friday in DecemberState Tree: Cabbage Palmetto
State Summary PDF