Tree City USA - How to Enroll

What is the application process?
New and recertifying Tree City USA communities now have the option to submit their applications online through The Arbor Day Foundation. City Forestry contacts (persons responsible for completing the application and who can answer questions about the community's urban forestry program) can request a log-in ID and password through the Tree City USA Online Portal. The online application form is the same as the paper application and requires the same documentation. Communities using either the online or paper applications should include the Standard 3 Supplements: Budget Breakdown and Annual Work Plan/Report forms. Applications will be accepted beginning in November with a deadline to receive applications by December 15.

What constitutes acceptable documentation?
Additional documentation is necessary to show that these activities did take place and to show how urban forestry expenditures are compiled. Acceptable documentation includes the following:

• Tree Board or Department - list the tree board chair person and his or her contact information along with the names of tree board members and meeting dates. If the community only has a city department in charge of the urban forestry program, please provide the name of the department and the department head and their contact information.
• Tree Care Ordinance - first time Tree City communities must submit a copy of their tree care ordinance. Recertifying Tree City communities that have made changes to their ordinance must also submit a copy of the new ordinance. For more information, please visit our ordinance page.
• Community Forestry Budget - list the community population along with the community's annual tree care expenditures in the appropriate categories on the application form. Supplemental documentation includes the Budget Breakdown form and Annual Work Plan/Report form (attach/upload to paper/online applications).
• Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation - Documentation of the community's Arbor Day celebration can include: newspaper articles about the event; pictures of event; program booklet or agenda; city meeting announcements; tree board meeting minutes; type-written page describing the day's events. The proclamation should be on city letterhead or otherwise contain the city seal and be signed by the mayor. The proclamation should be for the year in which the community is applying for Tree City USA status.

Now that my community is a Tree City USA, what's the next step?
Besides maintaining your status as a Tree City USA, many communities take the next step by applying for a Tree City USA Growth Award. The Tree City USA Growth Award is an opportunity to participate in activities that recognize environmental improvement, encourage higher levels of tree care and strengthen your community tree care programs.

Who is eligible to apply for a Growth Award?
Your community may be eligible if it is a Tree City USA for at least the second consecutive year and has spent as much or more on its community forestry program as it did last year. There are four categories of eligibility: Education and Public Relations, Partnerships, Planning and Management, and Tree Planting and Maintenance. Activities in these categories must have been accomplished within the past calendar year to be eligible. The community must also have completed activities that total 10 points or more to be eligible.

How do I apply for a Growth Award?
Communities that have eligible activities should use the Tree City USA Growth Award Application form to summarize their activities. Only new or significantly improved activities will be considered. The mayor or other city official must sign the application form and the City Forestry contact should provide their contact information. The form must also state the expenditures for the year for which you are applying as well as the expenditures from the previous year. Remember, you must have spent as much or more than the past year to be eligible*. List the activity number, name and number of points for that activity on the form. Briefly describe the activity in the space provided. It is preferable that you attach a separate page with your description, as the form does not provide much room. Attach documentation for each activity listed and write the activity number on each piece of documentation. Some activities are hard to document, so make sure that your description is more detailed for those activities. The deadline for submittal is December 15.

*Exception to the expenditure rule applies if your community's forestry expenditures were affected by costs associated with storm damage cleanup. This expenditure is considered in excess of your normal operating budget. You will need to provide a letter stating why the expenditure from the previous year is higher than the year for which you are applying.