As you drive into towns all over the United States, you may notice a white sign that says “Tree City USA”. To some, this may be just another road sign, but to communities practicing active tree care, this is a sign of recognition, pride, and commitment. Tree City USA is a national recognition program administered by the Arbor Day Foundation and supported in Kansas by the Kansas Forest Service. The program encourages communities to establish and maintain strong, sustainable urban forestry practices while recognizing the important role trees play in a community's health, character, and quality of life. Tree City USA is just one of several Arbor Day Foundation recognition programs designed to support urban and community forestry. Additional programs recognize K–12 campuses, colleges and universities, healthcare facilities, and utility providers for their efforts to manage and enhance trees and forests in their respective settings. So, what makes a Tree City stand out from other communities around the state? There are four standards the program requires to achieve Tree City status. |
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- First, is having a tree board or department. This just means that there is someone with legal authority and responsibility for public tree care decisions.
- Second, is a public tree care ordinance. The ordinance needs to establish community-wide laws, ordinances, or policies that identify who has the responsibility for the trees, and direct and advise the establishment and maintenance of urban trees.
- Third, the community must have an annual expenditure of $2 per capita on community tree care activities. While this may sound like a lot, expenses can often times add up quickly, including tree planting and care, tree maintenance, removals, general management, volunteer hours, and even tree worker salaries.
- Fourth, and often the most enjoyable, is an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. This event can occur any time throughout the calendar year, and be something as simple as a tree planting with a local grade school, to an all-day, week, or month celebration of trees.
If you feel like this describes your community, use the readiness quiz provided by the Arbor Day Foundation to see if you're ready to join. |
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Now, why is this so valuable? “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.” This is just a simple way of saying that trees matter, and that Tree City is the first step in recognizing your community for the work you’ve done to protect them. The 2026 Tree City USA application portal is now open, and applications for the 2026 recognition cycle will be accepted through January 3, 2027. |
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For help submitting an application or to learn more about Tree City USA and other Arbor Day Foundation recognition programs, contact your Kansas Forest Service District Community Forester using the link below. Thank you, |
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Our next talk will be on November 10th at 12 pm- 1 pm with Northwest District Forester, Chelsea Hanson. This webinar will cover the “Right Tree, Right Place” philosophy. This philosophy follows the idea that if the right tree is selected for a given site and ecosystem, it will be significantly better than a tree that is not suited for the site. A Zoom link to join the discussion will be sent in October's Between the Branches newsletter! |
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2610 Claflin Road
Manhattan, KS 66502, United States |
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This email contains promotional material. |
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