Bend, Oregon: Tree City USA

Tree Questions?

Tree City USA is a national recognition program that started in 1976, sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation along with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. Any incorporated municipality can qualify by meeting four basic standards listed below.

Bend first became a Tree City in 1991 with help from the Oregon State Department of Forestry. The city kept its Tree City status until 1995 and had to reapply each year to maintain it. Bend’s status was reinstated in 2004 and continued through 2012. In 2017, the City of Bend teamed up with the Bend Park and Recreation District to bring back and maintain Bend’s Tree City status. This successful partnership has provided the necessary resources to continue annual reporting and keep our Tree City recognition.

Trees are essential in helping to making our community more livable. Many of us know that trees are good! We love the shade they provide, their beauty and the wildlife that call trees home. Even though we might not always think about the benefits trees provide and what it takes to take care of them, they play an important role in making our neighborhoods more pleasant. Here are a few reasons:

• They keep our community healthy. Trees cool our streets and buildings, remove pollution from the air, generate oxygen, help absorb stormwater and help our sense of well-being.
• The trees we plant and care for today will benefit our children and grandchildren. The trees we plant today can be called “green infrastructure,” which increases in value as it ages and grows, making it a savvy investment. To make it sustainable, we must look after it.
• Trees are good business.  Attractive trees make our community more appealing, bringing in more shoppers and visitors. Tree-lined retail areas encourage shoppers to spend more, and mature trees keep cooling costs down for buildings.

1. Tree Board or Department
   What it means: Your community has a group or department that takes care of all the trees on public property. This could be a team of experts or a citizen-led board. Having this ensures that someone is always looking out for the trees and making sure they are healthy and well-maintained.
   How the City of Bend complies: Back in 2004, the Bend City Council was identified as the City Tree Board. Additionally, the Community and Economic Development Department have led the effort by staff to coordinate and complete the other requirements. Starting in 2025, the City’s new Urban Forester will manage our Tree City USA program with support from our partners at the Bend Park & Recreation District, Central Oregon Community College, and Bend-LaPine School District.

2. Tree Care Ordinance
   What it means: Your community needs a set of rules about how to plant, care for, and remove trees in public areas. This helps protect the trees and makes sure they are taken care of properly. It also helps manage any tree-related issues, like diseases or hazards.
   How the City of Bend complies: The City has a few rules about taking care of trees on public property. These rules are found in the Bend Municipal Code, Bend Ordinances, and the Bend Development Code.

3. Community Forestry Program
   What it means: Your community has a program dedicated to taking care of trees, with a budget of at least $2 per person each year. This money is used for planting new trees, maintaining existing ones, and removing any that are dangerous. Investing in this program helps keep the urban forest healthy and beautiful.
   How the City of Bend complies: Since 2017, the City and the Bend Park and Recreation District have easily met this standard. The City’s Streets & Operations Division budget includes money for taking care of street trees to keep Bend’s streets safe. The City will keep planting new trees as part of bond-funded projects to improve the streets. The Bend Park and Recreation District also takes care of and develops trees in Bend’s parks every year. These activities go beyond the $2 per person annual budget needed for Tree City USA.

4. Arbor Day Observance
   What it means: Your community celebrates Arbor Day with an official event and activities that promote tree care. This is a wonderful way to raise awareness about the importance of trees and bring the community together to plant trees and learn about tree care.
   How the City of Bend complies: Since 2017, the City and Bend Park and Recreation District have hosted successful Arbor Day events. We’ve given out over 150 seedlings to school children and planted large shade trees in many of Bend’s parks. Further, we encourage community members to create their own Arbor Day celebrations.
   Visit the Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation Page

Urban Forestry is a program which supports a thoughtful balance between protecting trees and making space for housing. The focus is on carrying out tree preservation guidelines to help maintain a healthy and sustainable environment as our community grows.