City of Salem Again Earns Tree City USA Designation

Salem has again been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, a designation the City has received each year since 2001.

Salem achieved the Tree City USA designation by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

“Salem is committed to our public trees as a critical part of our climate change mitigation strategy, our beautification efforts, and our historic legacy as a green city,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll. “I am so grateful to the work our Tree Commission, our Tree Department, and the many community partners and volunteers who make this important work – and the continuation of our Tree City USA designation – all possible.”

“Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community firsthand,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The trees being planted and cared for by Salem are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life. Additionally, participation in this program brings residents together and creates a sense of civic pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”

“The idea that as many of us as possible should plant and take care of trees is gaining momentum in Salem,” said Darleen Melis, chair of the Salem Tree Commission. “We are lucky to have our past accomplishments in increasing the tree canopy noticed by the Arbor Day Foundation. We also have the attention of the Commonwealth, in the form of the 2,400 trees that will be planted in our community thanks to the the Greening of the Gateway Cities Program. I urge residents to check whether they are eligible to have a free tree planted for them on their property by checking the Planting Zone map at maurbancanopy.org/town/salem.”

More information about the Tree City USA program can be found at www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA. The Arbor Day Foundation is a million member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.