City of Hickory Treasured Trees

Landscape Services Department, PO Box 398, 1441 9th Ave NE, Hickory, North Carolina 28603
phone: 828-323-7500        email: TTeague@ci.hickory.nc.us

Tree City USA

Tree City USA, an Arbor Day Foundation program, recognizes U.S. towns and cities which develop comprehensive urban forestry programs. Begun in 1976 as a Bicentennial project, co-sponsors have grown to include the National Association of State Foresters, the USDA-Forest Service, The National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

The City of Hickory was first recognized as a Tree City USA during 2005.

To become a Tree City USA, a community must incorporate the following four standards:

1. Tree Board or Department
2. Community Tree Ordinance
3. Comprehensive Community Forestry Program
4. Arbor Day Observance & Proclamation

Communities must then continue to meet all criteria and apply for Tree City USA recertification annually.

Tree City USA has gained popularity around the country for a number of reasons.

• Growing appreciation of the importance of trees to the environmental quality and economic vitality of our cities
• Recognition by citizens and elected officials that a good tree-care program is a wise investment in the future of a community
• Ability for any town to participate

By making the public more aware of community tree planting and tree care activities, citizens become more personally interested in tree planting and in the care of city trees in parks and along streets.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Arbor Day Foundation.