What is Tree City USA?

The National Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, recognizes towns and cities across America that meet the standards of the TREE CITY USA program.

Nearly half of the trees in a typical city are on public property-along streets, in parks, and around buildings. The TREE CITY USA program is designed to recognize those communities that effectively manage their public resources, and to encourage the implementation of community tree management based on four TREE CITY USA standards. These four standards provide structure for a community forestry program, require that program to demonstrate success based on the judgment of the state forester’s office, and provide for an awareness and appreciation of trees among the residents of the community.

TREE CITY USA recognition can make a strong contribution to your community’s pride, and it will put you and your tree board in touch with other communities and resources that can help you improve your program. There are 16 TREE CITY USA communities in Maine. They are:

• Auburn - 5 years
• Augusta - 14 Years
• Bangor - 4 years
• Bath – 11 Years
• Camden – 13 Years
• Farmington - 31 Years
• Hallowell – 6 Years
• Hampden - 1 Year
• Kennebunkport – 31 Years
• Lewiston – 5 Years
• Orono – 12 Years
• Portland – 28 Years
• South Portland – 28 Years
• Waterville – 10 Years
• Westbrook – 31 Years
• Yarmouth – 29 Years

The four qualifying criteria for TREE CITY USA are:

1. a tree board or department;
2. a community tree ordinance;
3. a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita; and
4. a Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

If your community would like to find our more about becoming Maine’s next TREE CITY USA, contact us today!

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