Tree City U.S.A.

About

The Tree City U.S.A. program recognizes communities that effectively manage their urban forest and meet the four Tree City U.S.A. standards. Marion has been selected each year for this national recognition for effectively managing its urban trees as a valuable natural resource. Maintaining this national status shows that the City and citizens recognize that urban trees are closely linked to our quality of life and take pride in working together as stewards to preserve and enhance the community's urban forest.

Marion as a Tree City U.S.A.

The City of Marion has been recognized as a Tree City U.S.A. since 1987.

Marion is one of 80 communities in North Carolina designated as a Tree City U.S.A. Marion has the 25th longest tenure among North Carolina cities as a Tree City U.S.A.

Standards

The National Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and the North Carolina Forest Service, recognizes municipalities from across North Carolina and the United States that meet the standards of the Tree City U.S.A. program.

Marion must meet these four standards:

1. Have an established legal tree governing body (Marion's Tree Board).
2. Maintain a comprehensive community foresty program that spends at least $2 per capita on the urban forest.
3. Maintain a tree care ordinance (Marion City Code Chapter 19 Trees)
4. Hold an annual Arbor Day Observation and Proclamation (Celebrated every March with Marion Elementary School and Eastfield Elementary School)

These standards provide the basic structure for Marion's Urban Forestry Program. In addition, the City must demonstrate its ability to meet or exceed these standards each year by completing an annual report and reapplying for the Tree City U.S.A. designation.