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. To qualify as a Tree City USA community, the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters require that four criteria be met. First, the City must establish a Tree Board or Tree Department who would then be responsible for the care of all trees on city-owned property. Second, the City must establish a Tree Care Ordinance to form the foundation of a city's tree care program. This provides an opportunity to set good policies in place. Third, the community must document at lease $2 per capita toward the planting, care and removal of City trees - and the planning efforts to make those things happen. The last criteria is that there must be an annual Arbor Day Ceremony and Proclamation. This reaffirms the City's support for the community tree program and our efforts to ensure that our trees may be enjoyed for generations to come.
We are proud of our City's trees, and hope that you will join us at the next Arbor Day Ceremony!