Standards of Recognition
Recognition through the Tree Cities of the World programme represents the first step toward achieving a green vision for your city. To receive recognition, a town or city must meet five core standards:
STANDARD 1: Establish Responsibility – The city has a written statement by city leaders delegating responsibility for the care of trees within the municipal boundary to a staff member, a city department, or a group of citizens — called a Tree Board.
STANDARD 2: Set the Rules – The city has in place a law or an official policy that governs the management of forests and trees. These rules describe how work must be performed — often citing best practices or industry standards for tree care and worker safety — where and when they apply, and penalties for noncompliance.
STANDARD 3: Know What You Have – The city has an updated inventory or assessment of the local tree resource so that an effective long-term plan for planting, care, and removal of city trees can be established.
STANDARD 4: Allocate the Resources – The city has a dedicated annual budget for the routine implementation of the tree management plan.
STANDARD 5: Celebrate Achievements – The city holds an annual celebration of trees to raise awareness among residents and to acknowledge citizens and staff members who carry out the city tree programme.
