Each year hundreds of cities and villages throughout America receive public recognition for their community forestry program by becoming a Tree City.
The Tree City USA Award program was created to recognize those communities that effectively manage their public tree resources, and strive to heighten the public’s awareness of the many benefits that trees provide.
In order to qualify to receive the Tree City Award, a community must meet four standards established by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters. These standards were developed to ensure that each qualifying community, regardless of size, would have a viable tree management program.
The four standards are as follows:
- Tree Board or Department
To qualify as a Tree City, a designated group or individual must be legally responsible for the community’s trees. This may be a professional forester or arborist, an entire Forestry Division, or a volunteer tree board. - Community Tree Ordinance
All Tree Cities must have an ordinance that designates a Forestry Division or tree board and cites minimum standards for tree protection and maintenance. - Comprehensive Forest Management Program
Each Tree City applicant must show evidence that the community has established a Forestry Program which allocates a yearly budget of at least $2.00 per capita. This means that each year, Tree Cities must spend at least $2.00 on their forestry programs, for every person in the community. The forestry budget is used to implement various portions of a tree management plan such as planting, pruning, and hazardous tree removal. - Arbor Day Observance
The last Friday in April is designated as National Arbor Day. Each Tree City must demonstrate its recognition of the benefits that trees provide by observing our nation’s Tree Holiday. Arbor Day observances can be simple or elaborate. The main requirements are that the event is made public and that a tree is planted.
Lincolnshire’s Tree City Award History
The Village of Lincolnshire has been recognized as a Tree City USA for thirty-four consecutive years, dating back to 1988.
In addition, the Village has received the Tree City Growth Award nineteen times.
Both awards are provided by the National Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters.
Commitment to obtaining the Tree City USA has provided Lincolnshire with a framework for sustained improvement with regard to the village’s tree care practices. The sharing of ideas and concepts that coincide with the participation in this award program will help to ensure Lincolnshire remains at the forefront of community forestry for years to come.