Tree City, Tree Campus, And Tree Line USA
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Tree City, Tree Campus, and Tree Line are programs coordinated by The National Arbor Day Foundation (leaves DEC website) (ADF) in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and DEC's Urban and Community Forestry program. These programs provide direction, public attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in thousands of towns and cities that more than 93 million Americans call home.
The standards required for each certification program will help a community, school, or utility get started with annual planning and management of its tree resources. Participants build relationships with DEC urban forestry program staff and the NYS Urban Forestry Council, which will help support a fledgling urban forestry program. Other benefits of the ADF recognition programs include:
- Improved public image for a community, school, or utility company
- Shared sense of pride in the efforts of a community
- Access to funding sources through Arbor Day Foundation
- Enhancing your application for DEC Urban and Community Forestry grants
Better tree care means even more benefits from trees-cleaner water, cleaner air, reduced electricity costs in the summer, and health benefits.
In addition to the Tree City, Tree Campus, and Tree Line programs, ADF has launched two new programs which it currently maintains oversight of: Tree Campus K-12 and Tree Campus Healthcare. These programs for elementary schools and medical facilities encourage the management of trees for public health and education. Learn more about Tree Campus K-12 and Tree Campus Healthcare (leaves DEC website).
Tree City USA
Becoming a Tree City connects a community to a network of other communities who care about their trees. It's a great way to get connected with your local urban forester and the Urban and Community Forestry program. The Tree City program is meant to celebrate a municipality's urban forestry program, whether it's brand new or well-established. In order to become a Tree City USA a community must meet the four standards:
- an active tree board and/or department
- a tree care ordinance
- a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita
- an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
Application are reviewed at the regional level by DEC urban foresters, then at the state level, and finally by the Arbor Day Foundation. To learn more about the program, the four standards, and resources for meeting them contact your local urban forester by finding your regional DEC office, and by visiting ADF Tree City USA (leaves DEC website).
Tree Campus Higher Education
The Tree Campus Higher Education program encourages universities and colleges to engage their students in urban forestry education and service learning while managing their campus trees. Tree Campus shows commitment to the environment and promotes healthy trees. To become a Tree Campus a university or college must meet these five standards of having:
- A campus tree advisory committee
- A campus tree care plan
- A campus tree program with dedicated annual funding
- An annual Arbor Day observance
- A service-learning project focused on trees
Applications are first reviewed by DEC staff and are then reviewed by the Arbor Day Foundation. then at the state level, and finally by the Arbor Day Foundation. To learn more about the program and the five standards visit ADF Tree Campus USA (leaves DEC website).
Tree Line USA
Utility companies are important partners in managing the urban forest for many communities. The Tree Line USA program, a partnership between ADF and the National Association of State Foresters, recognizes utility companies for adhering to best practices in arboriculture. The program encourages care and maintenance of our urban forests and builds partnerships between utility companies and the communities in which they operate.
There are five standards to become a Tree Line USA:
- Providing quality tree care
- Providing annual worker training
- Having tree planting and public education
- Having a tree-based energy conservation program
- Hosting an Arbor Day celebration
To learn more about the program and the five standards visit ADF Tree Line USA (leaves DEC website).
Lists of Tree Cities, Tree Campuses, and Tree Lines in New York
Tree Cities
In 2022, New York had 174 active Tree Cities. We had 9 new cities join the ranks of Tree City USA recipients in 2022: Gloversville, Lawrence, Patchogue, Penn Yan, Pulaski, Village of Southampton, Springville, and Westfield.
View the complete list of 2022 Tree Cities in New York (PDF).
Tree Campuses
In 2022, New York had 19 Tree Campuses, including first-year honorees Buffalo State University.
View the complete list of 2022 Tree Campuses in New York (PDF).
Tree Lines
We are happy to recognize New York's 5 Tree Line Utilities in 2023 (PDF).
How to Apply
Applications are accepted in the fall, when the ADF opens their application portal in September. The deadline to apply for all programs is December 1st, 2023.
We strongly encourage you to contact your regional DEC urban forester before beginning your application. Regional staff are best equipped to advise you on urban forestry matters because they are familiar with your local area. Staff are also the first to review the Tree City applications, so contacting them early on can help identify any issues with your application well before the application deadline.
While working on your application, we strongly encourage using the Applicant Advice documents linked below to ensure the best possible application and prevent any delays.
Once you are ready to submit your application, visit the ADF page for your program, follow the prompts to "Find Your Community", and create an account to apply online:
- Tree City USA Application Portal (leaves DEC website)
- Tree Campus USA Application Portal (leaves DEC website)
- Tree Line USA Application Portal (leaves DEC website)
