About Tree City USA
Author: Arbor Day Foundation
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, communities 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.
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.
The Advantages of being a Tree City USA Member
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 commitment to the environment is a great way to build pride among residents, as well as position communities as an attractive place to live.
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PhotoCredit: Arbor Day Foundation
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