Tree Line USA Application Forms

Tree Line USA Application

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Urban and Community Forestry program cosponsors the Tree City USA (TC/TL USA) programs with the National Arbor Day Foundation. TC USA and TL USA are nationwide programs that recognize communities and utilities for their commitment to quality tree care. TC USA provides the basis for urban forestry management. Along with the Growth Award, which encourages program expansion. TL USA recognizes public and private utilities across the nation that demonstrate practices that protect and enhance America's urban forests.

In 1972 the TC USA program began when Nebraska's Division of Tourism celebrated its centennial Arbor Day. As a result of this great success, the program went national in 1976 recognizing 42 TC USA communities, both small and large, for their efforts in proper tree care management.

There are now more than 3,100 Tree Cities and 125 Tree Line USAs across the country. Michigan honored 115 communities and 4 utilities with this designation for 2007. This was an increase of 5 communities from last year, the state's highest total ever, ranking Michigan 8th nationally. View this years list or map of current awardees.

The Requirements
To receive the TC USA award, a community must meet four standards. It must have:

1. A tree board, commission, or municipal department that has legal responsibility for the care of public trees and has the authority to develop and administer a community tree management program.
2. A tree ordinance which identifies authority for public tree management and establishes policies for tree planting, maintenance, and removal.
3. An annual budget for administering, managing, and implementing the community forestry program of at least $2.00 per capita. Funds spent for tree care in various departments as well as volunteer labor and donated supplies and services can be included in the calculation.
4. An Arbor Day observance and proclamation. This can be as simple as a brief tree planting ceremony or as intricate as a week-long celebration with contests, songs, readings, media involvement, and education programs. The observance can occur at any time of the year. A proclamation by the mayor or city council must accompany the observance.

The Benefits
Communities achieving Tree City status receive a flag, a walnut mounted plaque and special highway entrance signs proclaiming this community a Tree City USA! But the TC USA designation is more than a flag, signs, and a plaque. It is a feather in your cap that can help sustain or improve a forestry program in these tight economic times.

How to Apply
If you are interested in the TC USA program contact the state Urban Forestry Coordinator. He can provide you with more information and an application. Completed applications are due to your state coordinator no later than December 31 of each year.

To apply for these designations, you must to submit the appropriate application forms which can be found on above. Send the completed applications to the state coordinator at:

Kevin Sayers
State Urban Forestry Coordinator
MI DNR
PO Box 30452
Lansing, MI 48909
email: sayersk@michigan.gov
phone: 517.241.4632