Tree City USA

Milwaukie was recognized as a 2018 Tree City USA!

In April 2017, Milwaukie became an official Tree City! The Tree City USA program has been greening up cities and towns across America since 1976. It is a nationwide movement that provides the framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their public trees. More than 3,400 communities have made the commitment to becoming a Tree City USA, including Milwaukie!

Benefits of being a Tree City USA:

• Reduces costs for energy, stormwater management, and erosion control. Trees yield 3–5 times their cost in overall benefits to the city.
• Boosts property values across the community. Properly placed trees can increase property values from 7–20%. Buildings in wooded areas also rent more quickly.
• Builds stronger ties to neighborhood and community. Trees and green spaces directly correlate to greater connections to neighbors.

To achieve Tree City USA status, a city must maintain a tree board or department, have a community tree ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrate Arbor Day. 

To learn more about how trees benefit our neighborhoods, visit our Tree Resources Page.

For information about Arbor Day Events and Tree-focused activities, visit our Grow With Us page.

Want to learn more about our Tree City USA designation?

Contact us at urbanforest@milwaukieoregon.gov