DNR accepting Tree City USA applications through Dec. 31

Michigan communities, utilities, educational campuses and health care campuses interested in being recognized as a Tree City, Tree Line or Tree Campus should apply before Dec. 31.

These annual recognition programs are sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation and administered in Michigan by the Department of Natural Resources’ Urban and Community Forestry Program. To become certified under one of these programs, applicants must meet specific standards established by the Arbor Day Foundation. Standards and instructions on how to apply can be found on each respective program’s webpage:

The flagship Tree City USA program began in 1976 as a Bicentennial project to promote tree planting in urban areas and call attention to the economic, health and aesthetic benefits trees provide.

Last year, a record-breaking 131 Michigan communities and 17 Michigan campuses were recognized, with 13 communities receiving Growth Awards for completing additional activities to expand their community forestry programs. From the village of Michiana (population 200) to the city of Detroit (population 645,705), more than 37% of Michiganders reside in a Tree City USA community.

Communities applying for Tree City USA certification must have met the following standards in 2025:

Standard 1: Maintaining a tree board or department responsible for public trees.
Standard 2: Having a public tree care ordinance.
Standard 3: Spending at least $2 per capita annually on public tree management.
Standard 4: Having an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

This year the Arbor Day Foundation will be phasing out paper applications, and all Tree City programs must be submitted through the application portal. Find portal log-in instructions online. For further assistance, email [email protected] to reach program staff.

And for those of you planting this fall, don’t forget to log your trees on our MI Trees map as part of the DNR’s pledge to plant and maintain 50 million trees statewide by 2030. Mapping any planted trees is voluntary and will not affect your Tree City application.

The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations.