Tree City USA

The Tree City USA program has been greening up cities and towns across America since 1976. It is a nationwide movement that provides the framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their public trees.

More than 3,400 communities have made the commitment to becoming a Tree City USA. They have achieved Tree City USA status by meeting four core standards of sound urban forestry management: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day.

 The Village of Shorewood was first designated a Tree City USA in 1996. This year we celebrate our 25th anniversary! 

The Tree City USA Growth Award is presented by the Arbor Day Foundation to participating Tree City USA communities that demonstrate higher levels of tree care and community engagement during the calendar year. The Village of Shorewood has received three Growth Awards. Learn more about them below.

2012 Growth Award projects and activities:

• The creation of the very first version of our popular Walking Tour of Significant Trees. 
• The forestry group partnered with the Shorewood Waters Project to provide information to residents regarding the positive stormwater impacts of street trees. A new "caring for your new tree" door hanger was updated with additional care information and impact of trees on stormwater quantity and quality.
• A policy was adopted (in the form of an addendum to the Village's right-of-way concrete replacement policy) providing guidelines for public sidewalks replacement when street tree conflicts occur.

2019 Growth Award projects and activities:

• Update of our tree inventory - access it here!
• Emerald Ash Borer Plan Assessment

2020 Growth Award projects and activities: 

• Update of our popular Walking Tour of Shorewood's Most Distinguished Trees
• Implementation of a bare root planting process, including construction of a gravel holding bed at the public works facility. Learn more about the process here.
• Completion of nearly 50 hours of continuing education by our forestry group.