For the 25th year in a row, Traverse City has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. To achieve the status, communities must meet four core standards of urban forestry management: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day.

"Everyone benefits when elected officials, volunteers and committed citizens in communities like Traverse City make smart investments in urban forests," says John Resenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. "Trees bring shade to our homes and beauty to our neighborhoods, along with numerous economic, social and environmental benefits."

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.