Ceremonies celebrating Tree City USA took place in 51 communities across Virginia. The towns, cities and military installations that have achieved Tree City USA certification satisfy guidelines from the Arbor Day Foundation (ADF).

“Trees are much more than a pretty face,” said Barbara White, urban and community forester with the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF). “They’re vital to our quality of life and the environment. They help clean the air we breathe and the water we drink. And, when properly placed beside a home, trees can even help us conserve energy.”

The ADF reports 48 percent of Virginians live in a Tree City USA Community and local government spending on community forestry programs averages $6.28 per capita annually.

The 2012 designees are listed (on the next page). Criteria include: having a Tree Board or Department; a Tree Care Ordinance; a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

To learn how your community can become a Tree City USA, visit the Arbor Day Foundation at http://www.arborday.org/index.cfm or contact your local VDOF forester at http://www.dof.virginia.gov/

The Virginia Department of Forestry protects and develops healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians.  Headquartered in Charlottesville, the Agency has forestry staff members assigned to every county to provide service to citizens of the Commonwealth.  VDOF is an equal opportunity provider.

With nearly 16 million acres of forestland and more than 144,000 Virginians employed in forestry, forest products and related industries, Virginia forests provide more than $27.5 Billion annually in benefits to the Commonwealth.

Tree City USA Communities:

Community/Years
Abingdon, Town of    11
Alexandria, City of    29
Arlington, County of    16
Ashland, Town of    21
Blacksburg, Town of    22
Buchanan, Town of    5
Charlottesville, City of     6
Chesapeake, City of    26
Danville, City of     20
Fairfax, City of     25
Fairfax, County of    29
Falls Church, City of    34
Farmville, Town of    6
Franklin, City of     28
Fredericksburg, City of     26
Front Royal, Town of    13
Harrisonburg, City of    8
Herndon, Town of     23
Leesburg, Town of    23
Lexington, City of     12
Little Creek-Fort Story    15
Luray, Town of     12
Lynchburg, City of    30
Manassas, City of      22
Marion, Town of    10
Martinsville    6
Middleburg, Town of    11
NAS Oceana    18
NAS Oceana Dam Neck Annex    12
NASA Langley Research Center    2
Naval Station Norfolk    10
Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads    3
NAVSUPPACT NW Annex    10
Newport News, City of     29
Norfolk, City of     25
Onancock, Town of     22
Portsmouth, City of    29
Purcellville, Town of    6
Reston, Community of    18
Richmond, City of     21
Roanoke, City of     17
Roanoke, County of    14
Salem, City of     13
Surface Combat System Center    Wallops Is    16
Vienna, Town of     11
Vinton, Town of     10
Virginia Beach, City of    32
Warrenton, Town of    14
Waynesboro, City of     22
Winchester, City of     30
Woodstock Town of    7

Submitted by Virginia Department of Forestry