Chapter  5

  Appendix C

{Tree City USA} {Bulletin 18}

Tree City USA Growth Award


     Since 1976, Tree City USA has served as a catalyst for community tree care. By providing management guidelines, high visibility and public recognition, Tree City USA has helped communities nationwide take the right steps toward stewardship of their tree resources. But today there is an urgent need for even more action on behalf of urban trees and for a more sophisticated level of tree care. The Tree City USA Growth Award program provides the next steps by recognizing communities where tree care programs have significantly improved, and by encouraging growth and development in others.

{Growth Award sign}
Award winning communities receive an attractive highway sign to post at the entrance to their community.

"Effective tree care is an ongoing process of growth and renewal - a program of planting and care that continues through the years. Tree City USA provides a solid foundation for that process. But community leaders realize there is also a need today to do more and to do it better." So said John Rosenow, executive director of The National Arbor Day Foundation, when he announced the new Tree City USA Growth Award early in 1991.

The Foundation, in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service, created the award program to recognize environmental improvement and higher levels of tree care throughout America. Importantly, the award is designed to do more than recognize achievement beyond the four basic standards of Tree City USA. It is also intended to communicate new ideas by showing community leaders what can and should be done in a well-rounded community forestry program. In short, the criteria for winning a Tree City USA Growth Award are an excellent checklist for planning the future of any community's forestry program.

For that reason, we depart from the usual format of the Bulletin to present you with the entire Growth Award application packet, including the list of criteria.

You are invited to join other Friends of Tree City USA in developing the kind of expanded community forestry program that will make your town or city a winner. In fact, because the competition is only against your community's own previous record, there is no reason why a Growth Award should not become an annual goal for your municipal forestry department or tree board.


The Roots of Tree City USA

Tree City USA was created in 1976 as a joint Bicentennial project of The National Arbor Day Foundation, USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. The partnership was soon joined and strengthened by the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

The new program helped expand the entire concept of Arbor Day from tree planting to total tree care. It also expanded the mission of The National Arbor Day Foundation which had been created during the centennial of Arbor Day in 1972 to breathe new life into the tree-planting holiday and bring its meaning more in line with the environmental needs of today's society.

Shortly after Tree City USA was created, forestry experts Gene Grey and Fred Deneke published the first edition of their book, Urban Forestry. In describing the Tree City USA program, the authors wrote, "Its impact as an incentive for development of local city forestry programs is yet to be determined." By 1986, when the second edition appeared, the authors were able to report, "Its impact... has been significant."

And so it has. Thanks to financial help from the USDA Forest Service, the federal Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act, and members of The National Arbor Day Foundation, the program has become the symbol of good community forestry nationwide. From 42 communities that joined during the first year, the network of members has now expanded to over 1,800.

With the added benefits of the Growth Award, it is hoped that more communities of all sizes will join the network and that all will, indeed, continually improve their programs on behalf of trees.

{Community tree care}
The benefits of improved community tree care touch the lives of all citizens and are a source of pride to the volunteers who make them possible. To share that pride, award-winning communities receive the attractive highway sign (previously illustrated), a framed certificate of achievement with accomplishments listed, media publicity, and national recognition.




Using the Growth Award Application

     When you read the application form that is enclosed, you will notice that two initial requirements must be met before the application can be considered.

     First, the community must be recertifying as a Tree City USA. That is, it must have been a Tree City USA for at least the previous year.

     Second, the municipality's expenditures for its forestry program must be no less

than those of the year before. This is because communities that see tree care as a place to cut budgets clearly do not demonstrate the kind of commitment to improving environmental quality that is at the heart of the Growth Award program.
     
     If the application form is missing from this copy of the Bulletin, please phone member services at (402) 474-5655 for immediate replacement.





TREE CITY USA GROWTH AWARD APPLICATION


{Growth Award Application}
Tree City USA is a community improvement project sponsored by The National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Conference of Mayors and National League of Cities.

{Public demonstration}
Quality urban and community forestry programs are continually growing and improving. Tree City USA Growth Award recognition will be a powerful public demonstration that positive action is being taken to make your town a better place in which to live.

The Tree City USA Growth Award is provided by The National Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service, to recognize environmental improvement and encourage higher levels of tree care throughout America. This award is designed not only to recognize achievement, but also to communicate new ideas and help the leaders of all Tree City USA's plan for improving community tree care.

ELIGIBILITY: Your community may be eligible for the Tree City USA Growth Award if it is a Tree City USA for at least the second consecutive year and has spent at least as much on its community forestry program this year as it did last year.

If your community qualifies, you will receive Tree City USA Growth Award signs to place at community entrances, a certificate of achievement that enumerates your community's award-winning achievements, and appropriate local and national recognition.

In subsequent qualifying years the community receives a certificate of achievement and additions to the award signs denoting the year.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Review the Eligible Activities listed under Categories A, B, C, and D in this booklet. If your community has completed activities during the year which total 10 or more points, you may apply for a Growth Award. Note: Your program may already have accomplished many of these activities; however, only those completed in the past year are eligible.

Complete the application form and mail to your state forester with the appropriate documentation attached to the form with a single staple in the upper left-hand comer. Include a cover sheet for the documentation for each Eligible Activity indicating the activity name and number.

The completed application with required documentation must be submitted to your state forester by December 31. Your Growth Award application must be sent to your state forester with your Tree City USA Application for Recertification.

Your community is eligible to apply for this award each year it completes Eligible Activities totalling 10 or more points.

{Category A}

CATEGORY A:

EDUCATION AND
PUBLIC RELATIONS

Eligible Activities

A1. Publications (2 points)
Materials for the public about tree planting and tare, such as a listing of recommended street trees, were first published or significantly improved. (Please enclose a copy of the publication as documentation.)

A2. Literature Distribution (2 points)
A new method of public literature distribution (with utility bills, at garden centers, at public events, etc.) was developed and implemented successfully.

A3. Interpretive Program (3 points)
An interpretive program such as a walking tour of outstanding trees for community planting, an arboretum, a heritage tree program (largest, historic, etc.) or similar project was first made available to the public or was significantly improved.

A4. Local Awards Program (3 points)
A recognition program with awards to citizens, commercial enterprises, neighborhood associations, other citizen groups, etc. for such things as best landscaping, tree planting/care projects, etc. was initiated or significantly improved.

A5. Community-Wide Tree Event (4 points)
A special, community-wide tree event such as an Arborfest, Dogwood Festival, Oak Festival, etc. was initiated or significantly improved. (An Arbor Day celebration is a standard requirement to qualify for Tree City USA. Therefore, please report here only a community-wide, highly publicized Arbor Day celebration or festival in addition to Arbor Day.) Tree-related activities and/or exhibits must be part of the event. (Please include event name(s) and date(s) with documentation.)

A6. Publicity (5 points)
An ongoing publicity campaign for tree care and community forestry was initiated or significantly improved, for example a weekly newspaper column by the city forester or tree board, or a community-wide newsletter about trees.

A7. Youth Education (4 points)
The city initiated or significantly improved a formal, community-wide tree-education program for youth (such as "Trees Are Terrific," "Grow Your Own Tree," "Project Learning Tree," etc.)

A8. Continuing Education for Tree Workers (6 points)
A training/continuing education program for the city's tree workers, both employees and contractors, was initiated or significantly improved. The training must be provided at least annually - either by the city or by other qualified organizations. (Please indicate who provided training, the type of training and approximate percentage of tree workers who received 8 hours or more of formal training and percentage who received 40 hours or more of formal training.)

A9. Tree-Worker Safety Program (5 points)
A comprehensive safety program for city tree workers was initiated or significantly improved that goes beyond formal training to include such methods as daily warm-up exercises, wellness programs, safety newsletter, etc.

A10. Continuing Education for Forestry Managers and Tree Board Members (6 points)
A continuing education program for forestry managers and tree board members was initiated or significantly improved. Examples include participation in tree-related workshops, conferences, correspondence courses, or other structured educational programs for those involved with managing community forests. (Please include approximate percentage who attended conferences, workshops, or other such events, and approximate percentage who earned credit or continuing education units (CEUs), with documentation.)

A11. Tree-Care Workshops (4 points)
A workshop on some aspect of tree care was provided for the first time for homeowners, businesses and other members of the public. Or ongoing workshops were significantly improved or the public participation was significantly increased. (Please include date(s) and number attending with documentation.)

A12. Arborist Workshops (5 points)
Tree-care workshops were provided for the first time for private commercial arborists. Or ongoing workshops were significantly improved or participation was significantly increased. (Please include date(s) and number attending with documentation.)

A13. Publicity Event (3 points)
An activity specifically designed to gain publicity for the community forestry program was initiated or significantly improved.

   "Needless to say, we are proud of our designation as a Tree City USA and we assure you that we will continue to take seriously our tree-care responsibility."
Jerry L. Gwaltney, City Manager
Waynesboro, Virginia



{Category B}

CATEGORY B:

PARTNERSHIPS

Eligible Activities

B1. New Project or Organization (4 points)
A new, significant tree project was accomplished by the city in partnership with a civic organization, youth group, or other corporate or volunteer entity. Or assistance was given in creating a new volunteer organization that contributes to the community forestry program.

B2. Utility Partnership (5 points)
A cooperative program between the city and a utility resulting in additional tree planting, planting appropriate species, improved pruning and other tree care, etc. was initiated or significantly improved.

B3. Green Industry Partnership (5 points)
A cooperative project between the city and businesses such as private nurseries or tree services resulting in improved planting stock, better tree care, improved landscaping methods, the recycling of wood materials, etc. was initiated or significantly improved.

B4. Cooperative Purchasing/Contracting (6 points)
A program was initiated or significantly improved for the community to cooperatively work with another community. (For example, to share a forester, to jointly contract for tree-care, computer or other professional services, to purchase expensive equipment such as a tree spade, or to pool tree orders.)

 B5. External Funding ( 6 points)
The city applied for and received significant, nongovernmental funding (corporations, foundations, civic organizations, individual contributions, etc.) for community forestry. (Please indicate amount, source and use of funds with documentation.)

B6. Tree Planting on Private Property (4 points)
The city initiated or significantly improved a cost-sharing or other incentive program, an unusual publicity campaign, etc. to bring about more tree planting on private property. There should be attention Riven to planting the right tree in the right place, and encouraging long-term care.

B7. Engineering/Forestry Coordination (6 points)
Formalized coordination with city engineering was initiated or significantly improved to insure proper urban forestry review of street and utility plans, sidewalk construction, and similar practices that impact the health of the city's trees.

B8. Land-Use Planning Coordination (5 points)
Procedures for including tree professionals in land use planning decisions were put into place or significantly improved. Examples might include the appointment of a planning and zoning official to the tree board or vice versa, or routing all development site plans and applications through the city forester for input and approval.

   "Waukesha has been a Tree City USA for eleven consecutive years. On May 10, Waukesha experienced a devastatingly spectacular freak snow storm. This nine inch, wet, heavy snowfall accompanied by high winds, occurred just after full leafout. Sixty percent of 30, 000 street trees sustained damage and 1, 000 required removal. To accomplish this enormous restoration task we approached the City's finance committee for emergency funds. After our presentation to the committee, the initial and immediate response of the chairperson was, 'We are a Tree City USA, we are proud of that designation and we intend to keep it.' The vote was unanimous in favor of all our requests."

   "My point here (and I can not emphasize this enough) is that our designation as a Tree City USA was a tremendous positive influence in securing the support for necessary repairs and the continuation of Waukesha's Urban Forestry programs."

   "I will close by simply saying, if you are not a Tree City USA now, become one; if you are already, sustain the title. The benefits to be accrued are manifold - take my word for it!"
David P. Liska, City Forester
Waukesha, Wisconsin



{Category C}

CATEGORY C:

PLANNING AND
MANAGEMENT

Eligible Activities

C1. Tree-Maintenance Budget (9 points)
A budget line in the city budget specifically for tree maintenance (as opposed to planting or removals) was initiated or significantly increased. (Please indicate budget allocation for the current and previous year with documentation.)

C2. Municipal Funding (8 points)
Expanded or innovative municipal funding was developed to be used specifically to increase the planting and care of community trees. Examples include special tax districts, curb tax, bond issues, license fees, gas tax, utility surcharge, etc.

C3. Sidewalk/Curb Policy (5 points)
Policies were adopted or significantly improved which call for placement, construction, replacement and repair of sidewalks and curbs in a manner that will minimize tree damage. (Please enclose a copy of the policies as documentation.)

C4. Tree Inventory and Analysis (7 points)
A basic inventory of street and/or park trees was conducted for the first time or updated, and an analysis was performed indicating what conclusions are to be drawn from the inventory: species mix, planting and care needs, etc. (Please enclose copy of the inventory, or a sample from one neighborhood, and the analysis as documentation.)

C5. Computerized Tree-Management System (9 points)
The tree management system was first computerized and is site specific, i.e. individual trees identified with specific locations, and includes a work-reporting method with the work data on individual trees updated on a regular basis, preferably at least weekly.

C6. Management Plan (7 points)
A long-range, community-wide tree planting and management master plan using inventory data and covering at least the next 3-5 year period was first adopted or significantly improved. (Please enclose copy of plan as documentation.)

C7. Licensing (5 points)
A licensing program was initiated or significantly improved for all tree-care companies or individuals operating in the community. (Please enclose explanatory literature as documentation.)

C8. Improved Ordinance (6 points)
A new or revised and significantly improved ordinance related to trees was adopted. The ordinance(s) must lead to the improved management and/or protection of trees and tree habitat and might include such measures as protecting historic or specimen trees, protecting trees and tree habitat during construction, conserving woodlands, ending tree topping, requiring new developments to preserve green spaces or plant trees, etc. (Please enclose copy of ordinance as documentation.)

C9. Standards and Specifications (6 points)
A standards and specifications document was adopted, or updated and significantly improved, as a separate document which complements the community's tree ordinance. Provisions might include such things as acceptable street trees to plant, standards for planting in downtown areas and along residential streets, and tree- maintenance guidelines. The standards would be updated and kept current by the city forester, tree board, or equivalent authority. (Please enclose copy with documentation.)

C10. Wildlife Habitat (3 points)
Wildlife habitat was developed or protected, including such practices as setting aside "no mowing" zones, planting trees and shrubs for wildlife purposes, protecting riparian zones, adding water impoundments for wildlife, providing nest boxes, etc.

C 11. Park, Open Space (5 points)
Forested open space was acquired or a park developed with major tree planting. To use this criterion, it is necessary to demonstrate that the forestry staff or tree board was instrumental in the project. The land in question must be available for public use. Land covered by a scenic or other easement may also be included here.

C12. Disaster Plan (4 points)
A tree-care disaster plan was developed or significantly improved. The plan could outline who will provide what services after a severe storm, mutual aid available between communities or jurisdictions, and how to work effectively with the news media.

C13. Professional Tree Manager (10 points)
A full-time city forester or equivalent was hired for the first time. (Please indicate name, title, education/degree and starting date.)

   "The Tree City USA program is extremely important to the people of Robbinsdale and will continue to be a goal for our urban forest management program."
Jonathan E. Stiegler, Formerly Forestry and Environmental Services
Robbinsdale, Minnesota



{Category D}

CATEGORY D:

TREE PLANTING
AND MAINTENANCE

Eligible Activities

D1. Special Tree Planting Project (4 points)
A tree-planting project requiring special circumstances such as pit construction or vandalism protection was successfully implemented. Such a project would require a special appropriation, or special cooperation with the neighborhood or business district.

D2. Public Utility Tree Care (5 points)
The maintenance of publicly owned utility lines was significantly improved to reduce adverse impacts on trees. An example would be training in the use of state-of-the-art techniques that avoid topping trees.

D3. Recycling (6 points)
A biomass recycling program was successfully implemented or significantly improved. This may include street tree leaves, lawn wastes, tree removals, Christmas trees, etc.

D4. Street Tree Planting (7 points)
The city formally established or significantly improved its street-tree-planting program.

D5. Street Tree Pruning (8 points)
A formal pruning system was established or improved for the city's street trees. This criterion requires significant improvement through the initiation of regularly scheduled visits to all street trees depending on the requirements of the species, or the reduction of time between visits if needed.

D6. Hazard Tree Program (5 points)
A hazard tree assessment and action program was established or significantly improved, including employee training and a systematic method that includes periodic tree inspections and prompt follow-up when needed.

D7. Special Program to Eliminate Destructive Practices (6 points)
A program such as an educational or ordinance enforcement campaign to eliminate tree topping community-wide, or a training program that eliminates tree damage caused by employees misusing herbicides, weed cutters, and lawnmowers was successfully implemented.

D8. Integrated Pest Management (5 points)
Systems and methods for insect and disease control that are environmentally sensitive were put into place or significantly improved.

D9. Plans for Donations (3 points)
Plans were developed or significantly improved for projects such as vest-pocket parks, arboretum improvements, memorial tree groves, woodland acquisitions, etc. to be available in case of unexpected cash donations or similar opportunities.

D10. Contract Growing (5 points)
A contract with a nursery was initiated or significantly improved to provide specific varieties or species of street and park trees for future years (to enable planning and to assure having the right trees for the right sites).

   "We are delighted with our recognition as a Tree City USA, and hope to do justice to this accolade by our further efforts to plant trees."

Stephen R. Reed, Mayor
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
{Tree City USA}

Click here for a Tree City USA Growth Award Application (PDF format)



The Growth Award and Community Forestry

{Boulevard trees}

The success of Tree City USA is attributed to at least four factors: (1) The unique partnership that combines the resources and abilities of the federal government, state foresters, local foresters, citizen leaders, and a non-profit foundation - focusing them on a common goal of improved community forestry; (2) towns of any size can participate equally; (3) a growing appreciation of how trees contribute to the environmental quality and economic vitality of our communities, and (4) the realization that a systematic, well-planned tree care program is a wise investment.

The Growth Award builds on all these features and offers an opportunity to show what can be done. This, of course, is essential in selling others on the development of an improved program. What is also necessary to gain broad support is to show how a particular practice will benefit the community.

Examples abound of the link between pro-active management and community benefits: a new piece of literature enlightens homeowners who then plant low-growing trees near power lines or trees less prone to ice storm damage; a street tree inventory leads to a systematic planting program that fills open spaces and helps cool the summer air; an arborist workshop teaches a skill that prevents a serious accident - and the list goes on.

One of the most quantified examples of the link to benefits is shown below. The table was developed for the City of Rockford, Illinois, by the urban forestry consulting firm of ACRT, Inc. It clearly illustrates in dollars and good sense how a change in just one or two practices results in added benefits and proves to be an excellent investment of public funds.


Effects of Street Tree Service Levels on Tree Values and Benefits

Service
Level		 Current
Value		 Service Level for Next
Five Years		 Cost of Maintenance for Next Five Years Changes in
Tree
Population		 Future Worth In Five Years RETURN: Future Worth Less Maint. Costs and Current Value Other Comments

None $44,229,800 None None 8% mortality
20% decline in condition rating
3% diam. increase		 $29,801,800 -$14,428,000 Maximum liability, Impractical
Current $44,229,800 Requested
work only		 $1,008,000 6.6% mortality
10% decline in condition rating
3% diam. increase		 $37,040,900 -$8,196,900 Liability risk: High
Minimal $44,229,800 10-year cycle, removals and safety trims as needed $2,318,400 5.6% mortality
No change in condition rating
4% diam. increase		 $49,447,000 $2,898,800 Liability risk: Low
Optimal $44,229,800 5-year cycle, plantings, removals and safety trims as recommended $3,733,900 Plant 120% removals
10% increase in condition rating
5% diam. increase
5% species rating increase		 $70,732,700 $22,769,900 Liability risk: Lowest



Other Sources of Information

Tree City USA Bulletin will inform readers about helpful, up-to-date publications that provide more depth, serve as good models, or are readily available for community distribution. The editor welcomes sample copies to consider for inclusion in revised editions of this and other Bulletins.

A Basic Library To Direct Growth

Growth and improvement of community forestry must rest on a foundation of knowledge. Here are five books recommended as an excellent core library for self-improvement. To order, contact the publisher or ask your local bookstore to do this for you.

  • Arboriculture - Care of Trees, Shrubs and Vines in the Landscape by Richard W. Harris (Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ)
  • Modern Arboriculture - A Systems Approach to the Care of Trees and Their Associates by Alex L. Shigo, (Shigo and Trees, Associates, Durham, NH)
  • The Simple Act of Planting A Tree by Andy and Katie Lipkis (Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc., Los Angeles, CA)
  • Urban Forestry by Gene W. Grey and Frederick J. Deneke (John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY)
  • Urban Forestry - Planning and Managing Urban Greenspaces by Robert W. Miller (Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ)

Training Opportunities

The Arbor Day Institute, the continuing education and training arm of The National Arbor Day Foundation, offers a wide range of workshops and conferences each year in all parts of the country, and even correspondence courses. Opportunities range from introductory programs for new employees or citizen leaders to The National Urban Forestry School for professionals. For a complete course schedule, write to the Foundation or phone 402/474-5655.

{Arbor Day Institute}

Support Materials for Your Program

The National Arbor Day Foundation has developed a number of publications and visual aids to assist with your public meetings and programs. For a free catalog, contact the Foundation and request The Education Materials Brochure. Back issues of Tree City USA Bulletin also provide an excellent source of literature and are inexpensively available in quantity.

To help publicize trees, ask for a free catalog of publicity and gift items available to help promote tree planting, tree care, and Tree City USA. Send your name and address to Arbor Day Catalog, The National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410.

To order additional Bulletin copies... Friends of Tree City USA members may obtain a single copy of this or any of the preceding Tree City USA Bulletins free of cost. Quantities of any issue are available at 25 for $6.25 or 500 for $100. To order, specify the issue number and quantity, and make your check payable to The National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410.

The Bulletins available are:

  • No. 1 How to Prune Young Shade Trees
  • No. 2 When a Storm Strikes
  • No. 3 Resolving Tree-Sidewalk Conflicts
  • No. 4 The Right Tree for the Right Place
  • No. 5 Living With Urban Soils
  • No. 6 How to Hire an Arborist
  • No. 7 How to Save Trees During Construction
  • No. 8 Don't Top Trees!
  • No. 9 How to Write a Municipal Tree Ordinance
  • No. 10 Plant Trees for America!
  • No. 11 How to Prevent Tree /Sign Conflicts
  • No. 12 What City Foresters Do
  • No. 13 Trees for Wildlife
  • No. 14 How to Kill a Tree
  • No. 15 How to Recognize - and Prevent - Hazard Trees
  • No. 16 How to Recycle Shade Tree Materials
  • No. 17 How to Landscape to Save Water

To join the Friends of Tree City USA... to receive a subscription to Tree City USA Bulletin, and to become more involved in the urban forestry movement in your town and throughout America, send a $10 dues-donation to Friends of Tree City USA, The National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410. Make your check payable to The National Arbor Day Foundation.

Tree City USA Bulletin ©1993 The National Arbor Day Foundation. John E. Rosenow, publisher; James R. Fazio, editor; Gerreld L. Pulsipher, graphic designer; Gene W. Grey, William P. Kruidenier, James J. Nighswonger, Steve Sandfort, technical review committee. Although copyright is vested with the Foundation, permission is hereby granted for the contents of this bulletin to be reproduced for noncommercial educational or public-service purposes provided the source is acknowledged.
{Tree City USA}
   The Tree City USA program is sponsored by The National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters. To be named as a Tree City USA, a town or city must meet four standards:

Standard 1: A Tree Board or Department
Standard 2: A City Tree Ordinance
Standard 3: An Annual Community Forestry Program
Standard 4: An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation

   Each winning community receives a Tree City USA flag, plaque, and community entrance signs. Towns and cities of every size can qualify. Tree City USA application forms are available from your state forester or The National Arbor Day Foundation.

Published for the Friends of Tree City USA by

{National Arbor Day Foundation}
Return to: Chapter 5 - Regreening the Community