Colorado State Forest Service
Gunnison District

Urban and Community Forestry

Arbor Day

In 2000, America will be celebrating the 128th anniversary of Arbor Day. The very first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska on April 10, 1872. It is estimated that over a million trees were planted across the state of Nebraska on that first Arbor Day. This tree planting holiday was the brain child of J. Sterling Morton, a journalist, who moved to Nebraska in the mid 1850's. Arbor Day was a result of the appreciation he had for trees.

Arbor Day is celebrated on many different days throughout the country. The earliest date is in Florida and Louisiana where they celebrate on the third Friday in January. In South Carolina, the first Friday in December is Arbor Day. In Colorado, we celebrate Arbor Day on the third Friday in April; for most of Colorado, that date is ideal for tree planting. However, mountain communities usually wait until May or June. Some communities combine the Arbor Day observance with Earth Day, which is celebrated on April 22nd. The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) can provide information and ideas on how to celebrate this tree planter's holiday. Arbor Day can be any day you choose to plant a tree.

Tree City USA

The National Arbor Day Foundation in conjunction with the United States Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters sponsors the Tree City USA program. This program has been in existence since 1976. This year marks the 22nd year that communities across the country have been recognized for their tree care programs.

To become a Tree City USA, a community must annually satisfy the following four standards:

• A Tree Board or Department - Most communities are not large enough to support a staff position devoted entirely to the care of trees within the town limits. Therefore, a group of citizens is appointed and charged by an ordinance to develop and administer a tree management program for trees on public property. This group of citizens usually serves on a voluntary basis much like other boards in the city. Some communities have elected to have the city council or trustees serve as the Tree Board. Larger cities usually have salaried employees to care for the public trees.
• A Community Tree Ordinance - This ordinance gives power to the tree board or department. The ordinance should determine public tree care policies for planting, maintenance, and removals on public property. A list of recommended trees for the community should be referenced in this ordinance and be made available to the citizens of that community.
• A Community Forestry Program with an Annual Budget of at Least $2 Per Capita - A town must spend at least $2 per capita on the the community forestry program. Some examples of acceptable expenditures on trees include: planting, removals, inventories, maintenance, pest surveys, pruning, public classes on tree care, educational handouts, etc. These expenditures must be applied towards and directly benefit the public trees in the community.
• An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation - Arbor Day must be celebrated to fulfill the fourth standard. A proclamation issued by the mayor must accompany the observance and declare the observance of Arbor Day in the community.

In Colorado, over 30 percent of the communities were acknowledged by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA in 1999. Gunnison and Lake City, both within the Gunnison District service area -- were recognized for their accomplishments in community forestry. The CSFS annually assists communities who desire to become and continue as a Tree City USA.

Tree Grants

The CSFS assists communities who desire to take advantage of several grants available for tree planting and public education about trees. All tree grants require some match by the applicant and a plan of action. If trees are to be planted, a maintenance plan is also required.

The Colorado Tree Coalition (CTC) grant can be for tree planting or educational projects concerning proper tree planting, maintenance, or management of the urban forest. This CTC grant is available to local governments, neighborhood groups, and private non-profit organizations. An applicant can request from $500 to $2,000 but must match the requested amount. The match must be with non-federal dollars. In-kind personnel and volunteer services will not be considered as a suitable match. The grant project must have an educational component to it. Grant applications are usually available in the fall with a deadline of mid-December to the CSFS District Forester

The State Street Tree (SST) grant is for the planting of trees on the public right-of-way. This SST grant is only available to communities. A community can request from $500 to $2,000 but must match the requested amount. The match can be in-kind personnel or operating costs that are related to the installation or maintenance of trees. Grant applications are usually available in the fall with a deadline of mid-December to the CSFS District Forester.

The Colorado Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) in cooperation with Colorado RELEAF and Global RELEAF sponsors a tree planting grant. This CPRA tree grant is sometimes co-sponsored by a local corporation (i.e., Leanin' Tree Inc.). The grant is for those entities that would normally not qualify for financial assistance. Matching grants of up to $500 are available. These grants must be matched with local funding and must comprise at least 50% of the project cost. Grant applications are usually available before Christmas with a deadline of mid-January to the ReLeaf Coordinator.

Tree Care

The community forest is a dynamic entity. As a result, community tree care managers must annually keep on top of the needs and health of these trees. To help communities address these needs, the Gunnison District has set up several programs to help communities effectively manage the urban forest.

1. A tree inventory of the public trees is often the first step towards effectively managing the community forest. A tree inventory can be very useful to the community. A typical inventory will identify tree species, hazardous trees, pruning needs, insect problems, incidence of disease, and open spaces available for tree planting. This tree inventory is an integral part of any long range plan to sustain the urban forest.
2. The Gunnison District conducts sick tree calls for private property owners throughout our service area. Diagnosis and tree care recommendations are made by appointment.
3. CSFS offers arboriculture courses to tree care personnel in local communities. This knowledge helps a community maintain a healthy community forest.

Champion Tree Program

The American Forests and the Davey Company maintain a national registry of the largest trees in the nation. Kathleen Alexander of the Colorado Tree Coalition (CTC) administers the Champion Tree Program in Colorado. Because Kathleen cannot cover our large state by herself, the CSFS helps her by locating champions, publicizing the program, and educating Coloradoans about our big trees.

To see if you have a champion, you will need the following measurements:

Circumference at breast height (i.e. 4 - 1/2 feet above the ground), Overall height, and Average crown spread

The Formula: Circumference (inches) + Height (feet) + 1/4 of the Average Crown Spread = TOTAL POINTS

If you think that you have a potential champion, call or write to the CSFS. You can see some of these big trees on the champion tree poster published by the CTC in 1996.

Joel's favorite Community Forestry Links:
National Arbor Day Foundation
International Society of Arboriculture
Proper Pruning Techniques
Tree Selection Information
National Arborist Association
Arbor Age Magazine

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This page maintained by Brian Ayers
Colorado State Forest Service, P.O. Box 1390, Gunnison, CO 81230 USA (970) 641-6852
Updated October 08, 1999