The Tree City USA program is a national program that provides the framework for community forestry management for cities and towns across America.

Communities achieve Tree City USA status by meeting four core standards of sound urban forestry management. The first is maintaining a tree board or department, and the second is having a community tree ordinance. These communities must also spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and lastly, celebrate Arbor Day.

Participating communities have demonstrated a commitment to caring for and managing their public trees. Together the more than 3,400 Tree City USA communities serve as home to more than 135 million Americans.

Arizona’s very own City of Scottsdale has been a Tree City USA community for an impressive 32 years, the highest of all of Arizona’s other cities and towns. Pine-Top Lakeside, however, isn’t far behind at 29 years, with Phoenix following at 28 years. Congratulations to the Town of Patagonia, who just joined the list this past year.

To see a full list of Arizona cities and towns with Tree City USA designations, visit: http://www.arborday.org/programs/treeCityUSA/treecities.cfm?chosenstate=Arizona