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Townsend Tree Board Receives Award
Author: Patrick Plantenberg, Tree Board Chair

Patrick Plantenberg

Tree Board Chair

Tree City USA is the nation's most iconic community forestry recognition program. It all started 50 years ago in 1976. The Tree City USA recognition program was founded through a partnership with U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, with a goal to help communities grow stronger and more resilient. That first year, 42 communities were recognized.

In 2025, 50 years later, there are now 3,636 Tree City communities, and 49% of the nation's population lives in a Tree City USA.

Townsend has had a Tree Board since 1990. They have applied for and have been awarded Tree City USA status for 26 years. To qualify as a Tree City USA, a community must meet four core standards: a tree board or department, a public tree care ordinance, a minimum annual expenditure of $2 per capita on tree care, and an Arbor Day observance.

Congratulations to Townsend for planting and caring for its city trees.

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PhotoCredit: Patrick Plantenberg
Image 1 Caption: Townsend Elementary 5th graders and teachers helped plant a Linden tree on North Spruce Street, next to the school parking lot for their Arbor Day event. The Linden replaces a dying green ask tree that was removed last winter. Photo Credit: Patrick Plantenberg