Hundreds of towns and cities across America are achieving public attention and national recognition for their urban forestry programs by becoming Tree City USAs. Communities of any population can qualify—from less than one hundred to the millions.

If your city meets the four Tree City USA standards below, it can qualify too! Tree City USA application forms are available from the National Arbor Day Foundation or your state forester. You can obtain assistance from the Kansas Forest Service to organize or improve your community forestry program, and to help your town become a Tree City USA.

The National Arbor Day Foundation presents a beautiful walnut-mounted plaque, a large Tree City USA flag, and special highway signs for community entrances to each Tree City USA.

Tree City USA recognition can make a strong contribution to your community's pride. Tree City USA can serve as a blueprint for planting and maintaining your community's trees. And it will put you in touch with other communities and resources which can help you improve your program.

Standard 1: A Tree Board or Department

A tree board is a group of concerned citizens, usually volunteer, charged by ordinance to develop and administer a comprehensive city tree management program. Tree boards usually function with the aid of professional foresters.

Standard 2: A City Tree Ordinance

The ordinance should be formulated by the tree board or department, and should determine public tree-care policies for planting, maintenance, and removals. A sample ordinance can be obtained by contacting the Kansas Forest Service or writing to the National Arbor Day Foundation.

Standard 3: A Community Forestry Program with an Annual Budget of at Least $2 Per Capita.

To be named as a Tree City USA, a town or city must annually spend at least $2 per capita for its community forestry program. In determining the size of your city's budget, consider all funds spent for tree care. Along with the budget for the street tree department or board, include items such as the park department's tree expenditures, dead tree removal, and other labor and administrative expenses
associated with the management of the city forest. Many communities find that they are already spending far more than $2 per capita.

Standard 4: An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation

The mayor of your community must issue a proclamation declaring the observance of Arbor Day in your community, and an Arbor Day celebration must take place. Contact your local Kansas Forest Service office for assistance in planning these events.

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