A total of 118 Michigan communities, five campuses and two utilities have earned Tree City, Tree Campus or Tree Line USA designations for 2018. Two new communities – Ludington and Petoskey – were among those certified.

The Tree City USA program promotes the proper care and management of community trees and calls attention to the benefits trees provide. This year’s recognized honorees were certified for work accomplished in 2018. Michigan currently ranks eighth nationally in number of certified communities.

“Trees are not only beautiful, but they also help clean the air, reduce stormwater runoff, provide shade and reduce cooling costs, and provide many other benefits,” said Kevin Sayers, coordinator of the DNR’s Urban and Community Forestry program. “Tree City USA designation tells people that your community values public trees as important assets.”

To be eligible for certification, a community must have:

• A designated board or department responsible for tree care issues.
• A local public tree ordinance.
• A budget for public tree care of at least $2 per capita.
• An annual Arbor Day celebration and official Arbor Day proclamation.

The DNR also recertified two Tree Line USA utilities (Lansing Board of Water and Light and ITC Holdings).

Participation in the Tree Campus USA program continues to grow, with five campuses – University of Michigan, Calvin College, Washtenaw Community College, Michigan State University and first-time honoree Hope College – earning that designation. These programs encourage utility companies and college campuses to offer tree care education programs and sponsor tree-planting events as part of their commitment to maintaining healthy, local urban forests and trees. Learn more about the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree USA programs at ArborDay.org/Programs.

Questions? Visit Michigan.gov/UCF or contact Kevin Sayers, 517-284-5898.

The above photo is provided courtesy of Calvin College.