Certification requirements
Applications for recognition through Tree Cities of the World must include an official digital certification from the city’s appropriate chief executive authority (e.g., mayor or city administrator), affirming the accuracy and completeness of the information provided.
STANDARD 1: Responsibility for City Trees
Standard:
A city must identify a clearly defined individual, department, or group of citizens — often referred to as a Tree Board — responsible for the planting, care, and planning of trees located on public land. This responsible entity provides leadership and oversight to ensure that the city’s urban forest supports local goals for sustainability, resilience, and livability.
On Your Application You Will Provide:
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Names, qualifications, and contact information for the individual(s), department, or board responsible for city trees
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Meeting schedule for the tree board or department (if applicable)
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A brief summary of key tree-related issues or initiatives addressed during the year
Eligibility:
The responsible entity may include, but is not limited to:
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A City Tree Manager or Arborist
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A municipal department or office (e.g., parks, public works, planning)
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A formal tree board, commission, or advisory group
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Cities may designate more than one body or role involved in tree management; however, at least one clearly identified entity must hold responsibility for public trees.
Purpose:
Clear assignment of responsibility ensures accountability for decisions affecting city trees and forests. Defining leadership roles helps align planning, maintenance, and investment while encouraging transparency and public trust. Involving professionals, residents, and volunteers strengthens stewardship and reinforces the value of trees as essential urban infrastructure.
STANDARD 2: City Tree Policies
Standard:
A city must have at least one law, ordinance, or official policy that governs the planting, care, protection, and removal of trees. These rules must be accessible to city staff and residents and apply to trees on public land and, where applicable, private property.
On Your Application You Will Provide:
Links to current laws, ordinances, or official policies related to tree or urban forest management
Eligibility:
Tree-related policies may be contained within a single ordinance or distributed across multiple legal or policy documents. To be eligible, policies must:
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Describe how tree planting, maintenance, and removal are conducted
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Assign or imply responsibility for oversight of tree-related activities
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Be officially adopted and in effect during the year of recognition
Purpose:
Tree policies establish consistent, enforceable standards that guide responsible management of urban trees and forests. Clear rules promote long-term health of the urban forest, protect public investment, and support equitable access to the environmental, social, and economic benefits that trees provide.
STANDARD 3: Tree and Forest Assessments
Standard:
A city must demonstrate an understanding of its tree and forest resource through a recent assessment, inventory, or canopy study. This information provides the foundation for informed decision-making, planning, and sustainable urban forest management.
On Your Application You Will Provide:
At least one of the following, including the method used and year completed:
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Count or number of street trees (completed within the last 5 years)
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Count or number of park trees (completed within the last 5 years)
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A complete or sample tree inventory
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Percentage of tree canopy coverage (completed within the last 10 years)
We do not require a full data set but ask that you share:
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Links to assessment, inventory, or canopy study reports
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Summary data such as tree counts, diversity, size distribution, or canopy extent
Eligibility:
Assessments may be conducted using field inventories, aerial imagery, or analytical tools such as i-Tree Canopy or high-resolution canopy analysis. Data must be recent enough to reasonably reflect current urban forest conditions.
Purpose:
Quantifying the extent, condition, and composition of city trees enables cities to track progress, identify gaps, manage risk, and prioritize investment. Reliable data supports strategic planning and strengthens a city’s ability to sustain healthy urban forests over time.
STANDARD 4: Annual Budget for City Trees
Standard:
A city must demonstrate ongoing financial and in-kind investment in the management of its urban forest through an annual budget or documented expenditures.
On Your Application You Will Provide:
Documentation of:
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City budget allocations for tree planting, maintenance, and removal
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Numbers of trees planted, maintained, and removed during the year
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Associated staff time, contractor services, purchases, and in-kind or donated contributions
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See: Eligible Expenses
Eligibility:
Funding may include municipal budgets, grants, contracts, and in-kind contributions such as staff time or volunteer support. Investments must relate directly to tree or urban forest management activities carried out during the year of recognition.
Purpose:
Sustained funding is essential to maintaining and expanding healthy urban forests. Demonstrating annual investment highlights a city’s commitment to trees as critical public assets that deliver environmental resilience, public health benefits, and community well-being.
STANDARD 5: Celebrating City Trees and Achievements
Standard:
A city must actively celebrate its urban forest and the people who plant, care for, and steward trees through one or more public events or recognitions during the year.
On Your Application You Will Provide:
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Name(s) and date(s) of tree-related celebration event(s)
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Programme of activities and/or an official city proclamation
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Estimated attendance
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Media coverage, social media posts, and/or photos documenting the event(s)
Eligibility:
Tree celebrations may coincide with Arbor Day, Earth Day, or other locally relevant dates. Events may range from small community gatherings to larger citywide celebrations, provided trees and urban forests are a central focus.
Purpose:
Celebrating city trees raises public awareness, builds community pride, and recognizes the efforts of staff, volunteers, and partners. These events help connect residents to the benefits of trees and reinforce long-term support for urban forest stewardship.
Let’s Dig In
Your first step towards becoming a Tree City of the World starts here. Fill out the application and you’ll be on your way to being a globally recognized conservation leader.