Ask Stewart: Why Is Front Royal a Tree City USA?

Hi Stewart,

I see signs around town saying that Front Royal is a Tree City. What does that mean?

Debbie

Hi Debbie!

Great question! Those Tree City USA signs you see around Front Royal are something our town can be proud of. They mean Front Royal has demonstrated a commitment to caring for its trees and keeping our community green, healthy, and beautiful.

Tree City USA is a national recognition program sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation. Since 1976, the program has recognized communities that make tree care an important part of their planning and operations.

The Arbor Day Foundation believes that communities that care for their trees also care for their people. After all, trees provide shade, improve air quality, help manage stormwater, create wildlife habitats, and make our neighborhoods more attractive places to live.

But earning the Tree City USA designation takes more than simply having lots of trees!

What Does It Take to Become a Tree City USA?

To qualify, a community must meet four important requirements:

1. Have a Tree Board or Department

A community must have a designated group or department to oversee the care and management of its public trees.

This helps ensure that trees along streets, in parks, and throughout public spaces receive appropriate attention.

2. Have a Tree Care Ordinance

The town must have an ordinance establishing guidelines for planting, maintaining, and removing public trees.

These rules help protect the community’s trees while addressing safety and maintenance concerns.

3. Support a Community Forestry Program

A Tree City USA community must document annual spending of at least $2 per resident on tree care.

That investment can include tree planting, maintenance, removal, utility line clearance, management, and qualifying volunteer work.

And here’s something important: Volunteer hours count toward this requirement!

That means the time our local Tree Stewards spend planting, pruning, maintaining, and caring for trees helps Front Royal maintain its Tree City USA recognition.

4. Celebrate Arbor Day

Every year, the community must officially recognize Arbor Day with a proclamation and an observance.

Arbor Day reminds us of the importance of planting and protecting trees, not just for ourselves but for future generations.

Front Royal Has a TREE-mendous Record!

Front Royal has earned Tree City USA recognition for more than 25 years!

That’s a remarkable accomplishment, and our local Front Royal/Warren County Tree Stewards have played an important role in making it possible.

The Tree Stewards contribute more than 2,500 volunteer hours annually, according to the organization, helping care for our community’s trees and educating residents about proper tree planting and maintenance.

These dedicated volunteers help make our streets, parks, and neighborhoods healthier and more attractive.

So, Debbie, the next time you see one of those Tree City USA signs, remember that it represents years of planning, dedication, and hard work by our town and its volunteers.

It’s more than a sign. It’s a commitment to Front Royal’s future.

And that’s something worth celebrating!

Have a TREE-mendous day!

Your Pal in the Trees,

Stewart

Stewart the Squirrel is the mascot of the Front Royal/Warren County Tree Stewards, a volunteer organization formed in 1997 to promote the health and care of trees throughout our community.

Stewart answers readers’ tree-related questions twice a month in the Royal Examiner. To learn more about the Tree Stewards, visit www.treesfrontroyal.org.