San Bernardino named Tree City USA for the Third Consecutive Year

The City of San Bernardino has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for its ongoing efforts to maintain and nurture its urban forest. This marks the third consecutive year the City has achieved this recognition.

“Trees play an important role in the health and beauty of our city,” said Mayor Helen Tran. “Being recognized as a Tree City USA for the third consecutive year reflects San Bernardino’s commitment to investing in green spaces, improving air quality, and creating a healthier environment for our residents.”

In the six years since San Bernardino created its Urban Forestry Team, the City has taken significant steps to maintain and grow its forestry program.

The team includes certified arborists, groundworkers, and a beautification team. They manage the planting, trimming, nurturing, and caring for more than 42,000 trees throughout San Bernardino. City trees can be found in local parks, along streets and medians, and other public spaces.

“San Bernardino’s investment into the creation of an Urban Forestry program is yielding us tremendous results,” said City Arborist Matt McDonald.

In recent years, a tree and plant nursery was established by the city to reduce costs and expedite the replacement and planting of new trees.

The team also identifies sick or dying trees and oversees their removal. As a result, the number of claims against the City for damage caused by fallen branches or downed trees has dropped dramatically.

In the past year, San Bernardino planted more than 200 trees and removed almost 700 diseased or dead trees. The Urban Forestry Division is currently working to plant new trees in the locations of recently removed trees as well as identify locations of potential new tree planting sites.

“The trees being planted and cared for by City of San Bernardino are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy to a better quality of life,” said Arbor Day Foundation Chief Executive Dan Lambe in a statement. “Residents should be proud to live in a community that makes the planting and care of trees a priority,”

Spreading the word about the importance of an urban forest has taken the Urban Forestry Team across San Bernardino to local elementary school, colleges, and neighborhood groups. Their goal is to spread the word about the benefits of a healthy urban forest, which includes reducing the urban heat island effect, improving air quality, and reducing stormwater runoff.

The City of San Bernardino achieved its Tree City USA recognition by meeting four requirements: having a tree care ordinance that sets planting and maintenance policies to ensure the safety and protection of public trees, maintaining an annual forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, having a tree board or department, and hosting an Arbor Day celebration.

Founded in 1976, the Tree City USA program is a partnership between the Arbor Day Foundation, the U.S. Forest Service, and the National Association of State Foresters. This year is Tree City USA’s 50th anniversary, marking five decades of recognizing achievement in urban forestry management.