While doing some research recently on the National Arbor Day Foundation, I ran across information about the Tree City USA program. You’ve seen the signs. Mesquite has had them for the past 17 years…Greenville has for the past 12; Plano for the past 18 years; Rowlett for the past 7. There’s a whole list of cities, big and small, in Texas that have been named Tree City USA. Forney could easily meet the requirements and be named a Tree City USA - should we? Read on for more info.

Being named a Tree City, in addition to providing the signs for Forney to place alongside our city limits signs. Additionally, according to the National Arbor Day Foundation, many grant processes give preference to cities that have been named Tree City USA. It also promotes Forney’s image as a city that cares about the natural beauty and aesthetics of our surroundings. The National Arbor Day Foundation also maintains a list of benefits of being named a Tree City USA.

In order to become a Tree City, an official representative of the City of Forney has to file an application showing that Forney meets the following four criteria:

1. A Tree Board or department “legally responsible for the care and management of the community’s trees [...] A tree board, or commission, is a group of concerned volunteer citizens charged by ordinance with developing and administering a comprehensive tree management program.”

2. A tree ordinance “[to] designate the establishment of a tree board or forestry department and give this body the responsibility for writing and implementing an annual community forestry work plan. Beyond that, the ordinance should be flexible enough to fit the needs and circumstances of the particular community.”

3. A Community Forestry Program With An Annual Budget Of At Least $2 Per Capita. “At first, this may seem like an impossible barrier to some communities. However, a little investigation usually reveals that more than this amount is already being spent by the municipality on its trees. If not, this may signal serious neglect that will cost far more in the long run. In such a case, working toward Tree City USA recognition can be used to re-examine the community’s budget priorities and re-direct funds to properly care for its tree resource before it is too late. Ideally, this standard will be met by focusing funding on an annual work plan developed after an inventory is completed and a report is approved by the city council. Such a plan will address species diversity, planting needs, hazardous trees, insect and disease problems and a pattern of regular care such as pruning and watering.”

4. An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation. “This is the least challenging and probably the most enjoyable standard to accomplish. An Arbor Day celebration can be simple and brief or an all-day or all-week observation. It can be a simple tree planting event or an award ceremony that honors leading tree planters.”

Of the four criteria, the third seems to be the most severe. $2 per capita on forestry programs of any sort would work out to $24,000 if you accept the recent population estimates of 12,000 residents in Forney. Looking at the 2006-2007 budget for the City of Forney, Parks & Rec was given $409,449 and the total city budget was $13,184,482. The $24,000 requirement for a community forestry program may already be met, if we look at how the Parks & Rec budget is being spent. Even if it isn’t, the $24,000 would be about 0.18% of Forney’s annual budget, so in theory, if the City could be convinced that this was a worthwhile project, it wouldn’t be too difficult to come up with the money.

What do you think? Should Forney pursue being named a Tree City USA? Post your comments below, or visit this thread in the Forney Discussion Forums to discuss Forney’s future as a Tree City USA.

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