Frederick Named Tree City USA for 36 Consecutive Years
Longest Running Tree USA Recipient in Maryland
Frederick, MD – March 24, 2016: For the 36th year in a row, The City of Frederick has earned national recognition as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of our commitment to effective urban forest management. The City also received a Tree City USA Growth Award for demonstrating environmental improvements and higher level of tree care.
This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the Tree City USA Program with The City of Frederick holding the honor of being the longest running recipient of the Tree City USA designation in Maryland.
“It is an honor for the City to be named a Tree City USA for 36 years. We will be celebrating Arbor Day On April 29th at Monocacy Elementary. Students in the 2nd and 4th grades have been researching and collecting data on what students at Monocacy Elementary School can do to positively impact the urban tree canopy. Students will present their findings as part of the Arbor Day program. We will plant a White Oak, the Maryland State Tree, as part of the festivities.
I would also like to thank our City Arborist, Tom Rippeon, for his commitment to effective urban forest management which is vital to the public infrastructure in our City and for his work on the Arbor Day activities” said Mayor Randy McClement.
The City achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements:
1. tree board or department
2. a tree-care ordinance
3. an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita
4. an Arbor Day observance and proclamation
Trees provide multiple benefits to a community when properly planted and maintained. They help to improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants and provide wildlife habitat, among other benefits.
For additional information on the Tree City USA Program, visit www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.
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