Urban tree canopies provide many benefits for residents, including:
- Increased property values: well-maintained trees can increase property values by up to 20%
- Energy savings: shade reduces air conditioning costs in the summer and having a windbreak of trees around your house can help block cold winter winds helping homes retain more heat.
- Reduced water runoff: Urban forests can reduce annual stormwater runoff by 2-7 percent, and a mature tree can store 50 to 100 gallons of water during large storms.
And that’s just the beginning—trees also improve mental health, keep our air clean from pollutants, create wildlife habitat right in our neighborhoods, and much more.
Organized by the Arbor Day Foundation, Tree City USA recognizes and awards cities and towns for their commitment to growing and maintaining its urban forests. Becoming a Tree City can help your city plant for the future, join a nationwide network of city officials, and help involve your community in education, planting, and maintenance.
If you are interested in becoming a Tree City, your city must have a public tree care ordinance, a tree board/department, an Arbor Day Proclamation, and a dedicated budget of at least $2 per capita for forestry work in your city. Interested in becoming a Tree City? Contact your Urban Forestry Coordinator to get started.
Below are just a few of the communities that shared their stories with us. We appreciate your stories and your trees!
Select a map marker or click on a link in the topic list to read their stories:
City of Chatfield – Tree City Since 1994
For the city of Chatfield, three decades of being part of Tree City USA has reinforced the importance of caring for their urban forest. Public works staff prioritize maintaining boulevard trees, removing hazardous or diseased trees, and replanting when feasible. These efforts are all part of their ongoing commitment to a greener community.
“It keeps city staff, officials, and community members aware of the importance of being a Tree City,” said Brian Burkholder, Public Works Director.
Explore the photos — click to enlarge!
Duluth – Tree City Since 1991
Duluth uses its Tree City status as a way to check the efficiency of its forestry programs and manage its Emerald Ash Borer infestation. Recently, Duluth planted more trees than they removed.
DNR funds have proven critical in staying ahead of EAB,” said Clark Christenson, City Forester.
Several hundred large ash trees have been removed through grant funds and that has freed up staff time to continue doing the work needed for Tree City status.
Duluth uses its Tree City resources to reach out and connect with the community, track trends in urban forestry, and recognize the hard work that they’re putting into their community.
Hopkins – Tree City Since 1991
Since becoming a Tree City 33 years ago, Hopkins has dedicated themselves to more organized record keeping by using GIS and completing a tree inventory. Thanks to this, they’ve been selecting more diverse species for the future health of their city’s canopies. Hopkins city forester Mikala Larson has also used the Arbor Day Foundation’s networking program to connect with other cities’ tree care professionals and to gain more recognition in community outreach programs.
Larson says that they “wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for the DNR grants we have received thus far,” explaining that the grants have helped the relatively small city forestry department.
Explore the photos — click to enlarge!
Lake Crystal – Tree City Since 2022
Lake Crystal City Administrator Angela Grafstrom says that “being a Tree City shows people we are committed to being a healthy community,” as it has led to committed budget funds for plantings, EAB treatment and removal, and maintenance. This has led to the city putting an emphasis on budgeting for a park specialist in 2025.
Their annual Arbor Day celebration, which expands every year, has also resulted from being a part of the Tree City program. The Lake Crystal Arbor Day celebration connects city officials with community members and educates them on forestry topics
Explore the photos — click to enlarge!
Maple Grove – Tree City Since 1985
City forester Shane DeGroy says that “with a name like Maple Grove, how could we not be a Tree City?” Being in the Tree City program for 39 years has led Maple Grove to take pride in their trees and focus on managing them. Because of this, they have prioritized community outreach and involvement through resident volunteering at Arbor Committee events and their annual Arbor Day celebration.
The DNR’s Conservation Partners Legacy grant has helped Maple Grove keep invasive plants in check in their Forest Preservation Areas, which DeGroy says are the “highest quality woodlands in the area.”
Explore the photos — click to enlarge!
Maplewood – Tree City Since 2010
Maplewood’s Tree City status has helped city staff consistently put the importance of trees at the forefront of their minds, leading to consistent tree care and tree advocacy habits. Because of this, Maplewood has become a Pollinator-Friendly City, created a Do Not Plant list of invasive species, and partnered with the University of Minnesota and Hamline University to create plots for oak carbon sequestration studies to further the science of forestry.
Natural Resource Coordinator Carole Gernes states that “being a Tree City sets a good example for our residents, businesses, neighbors and staff,” allowing them to have more resources for teaching the public how to care for trees and the benefits that they provide.
Explore the photos — click to enlarge!
Marine on St. Croix – Tree City Since 2018
For Marine on St. Croix, being a Tree City has given them structural guidance for combining tree-related activities and interests into a formal meeting as well as increasing community outreach with groups such as the Forest Advisory Committee and the Marine Village School.
“The process of becoming a Tree City raised the awareness of our City Council and the public of the importance and value of trees and green infrastructure,” says John Goodfellow, City Councilmember.
With the increased public awareness of trees and EAB, Marine on St. Croix has used grant funding from the DNR to preserve more than 100 ash trees in its publicly owned green spaces.
Explore the photos — click to enlarge!
Marshall – Tree City Since 2015
“Not only do we get the benefit of educating and promoting the importance of trees, we are making our community cleaner and more vibrant – now and for generations to come,” says Preston Stensrud, Park and Recreation Superintendent for Marshall.
Recently, the discovery of EAB in their community has prompted the need for a more diverse tree canopy. Thanks to DNR funding and resources from Tree City USA, more tree work can get completed.
Explore the photos — click to enlarge!
Monticello – Tree City Since 2019
For Monticello, becoming a Tree City has positively impacted the way that they manage and expand their urban forest. Some of their efforts include creating a tree care ordinance, establishing a city tree board, and creating an annual Arbor Day proclamation. Through these changes, Monticello’s “parks and streets are improving with the presence of healthy, well-maintained trees,” says Beth Green, Administrative Assistant.
Explore the photos — click to enlarge!
Morris – Tree City Since 2004
Being a Tree City for Morris has significantly improved the management of public trees by encouraging more professional practices such as trainings and conferences. These opportunities for training and knowledge-sharing have helped strengthen the city’s urban forestry program and enhance the overall approach to tree care.
“Being a Tree City has brought positive recognition and support for our urban forestry program from both city officials and the public,” says Sue Granger, chair of the Tree Board in Morris. Funding from the DNR has played a crucial role in supporting the program, including the planting and pruning of trees in parks and boulevards. DNR funding has also helped maintain Tree City status and has supported the local chapter of Tree Stewards, which has been active for seven years.
Explore the photos — click to enlarge!
Mountain Lake – Tree City Since 2008
“Being a Tree City often means committing to a long-term plan for urban forestry,” says Mountain Lake City Administrator Michael Mueller. For them, this includes developing a comprehensive management strategy to plant, maintain, and preserve trees for future generations.
DNR funding plays a crucial role in supporting these efforts, providing financial resources for tree planting, maintenance, community outreach, and professional expertise, helping cities like Mountain Lake achieve and maintain Tree City status for 17 years.
Explore the photos — click to enlarge!
Northfield – Tree City Since 1998
Becoming a Tree City has helped Northfield enhance its tree canopy by managing trees in public spaces and tracking the data in the city's annual GIS inventory. The city hosts events like the April Tree Sale, Earth Day Tree Informational Session, and Love Our City Day to engage the community in tree planting and raise awareness about the importance of trees.
“What we give to the trees through tree stewardship, the trees return in improved air quality, storm water absorption, wildlife habitat, cooling effects, acting as windbreaks, improving property value, and boosting morale,” states Shelley Evanson, a horticulturalist for the city of Northfield.
Explore the photos — click to enlarge!
Rochester – Tree City Since 1982
Forty-two years as a Tree City has taught Rochester about the importance of their urban forest management and canopy cover goals, and they “are proud to be one of the longest standing TCUSA cities in the state,” says Jeff Haberman, Rochester City Forester.
Being a Tree City helps raise awareness among decision-makers, with Rochester’s Arbor Day celebration being a key highlight each year. It also provides a valuable benchmark for comparing our urban forest management progress with other cities of similar size.
St. Louis Park – Tree City Since 1979
St. Louis Park has been a Tree City since 1980, fostering pride and a shared purpose among community members and elected officials who have dedicated resources to maintaining their urban canopy for over 45 years.
Vanessa Larson, a Tree Inspector for the city of St. Louis Park, says “being a Tree City brings our community together, representing a shared value in planting, nurturing, and enjoying trees in St. Louis Park.”
Funding from the Minnesota DNR has been crucial in supporting a strong planting program to counteract tree loss from invasive pests and enabling the city to prioritize equitable tree canopy initiatives in areas where coverage has been historically low.
Explore the photos — click to enlarge!
St. Peter – Tree City Since 1994
For the city of St. Peter, being a Tree City has increased awareness among both residents and the city about the urban canopy and the many benefits trees provide. “Tree City has built a lot of pride in our community for our urban forests,” says Jacob Burbach, a forester for the city. Images of St. Peter
Explore the photos — click to enlarge!
Stillwater – Tree City Since 2023
Since becoming a Tree City in 2023, Stillwater has embraced the idea that trees belong to everyone, and the community benefits from their preservation. Forest management decisions are now made with the community in mind and the Tree City program has provided a framework for continued excellence in urban forestry. Public morale around urban forestry has positively shifted, with residents showing increased interest in trees, sharing stories, and seeking help with tree-related issues.
“They want to get involved. It seems like everywhere I go, someone has a prized tree to show off, a great tree related story to share, or a tree problem they need help solving,” says Andrew Coyne, a Natural Resources Technician for the city of Stillwater.
DNR funding has been crucial, with significant grants in 2023 and 2024 enabling the removal and replacement of over 500 EAB-infested trees and supporting the restoration of critical forest habitats on public land.
Wayzata – Tree City Since 2011
For Wayzata, the program has provided the opportunity to assess their forestry efforts with objective criteria, prompting important reflection on whether progress is being made or if efforts are merely reactive.
“It’s a chance to look back and say “were we striving for progress or just snuffing out fires?” It’s important to reflect like that on a regular basis – especially if you’re feeling under-staffed or overwhelmed – because we need to see the forest for the trees,” says Wayzata city forester Bennett Myhran.
A recent DNR grant allowed Wayzata to inventory a large wetland property, and the data gathered will inform a habitat restoration project that will contribute to future Growth Award applications.
Explore the photos — click to enlarge!