You may have noticed it before, but what does it mean?

You may have noticed this sign with a big tree on it as you cross the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge from Brewer to Bangor. But what is it all about? The sign says "Tree City USA" "11 Years". But we thought Bangor was the Queen City?!

It turns out Bangor is just one of more than 3,000 Tree Cities! Since 1976 the Arbor Day Foundation has been providing assistance to cities striving to feature and preserve more trees. In order to become a tree city the city must have these 4 qualifying standards:

  • The city must maintain a tree board or department
  • The city must have a city tree ordinance
  • The city must spend $2 per capita on urban forestry
  • The city must celebrate Arbor Day

19 Communities in Maine are Tree Cities including:

  • Auburn
  • Augusta
  • Bangor
  • Bath
  • Camden
  • Castine
  • Dover-Foxcroft
  • Farmington
  • Hallowell
  • Kennebunkport
  • Lewiston
  • Orono
  • Portland
  • Saco
  • South Portland
  • Veazie
  • Waterville
  • Westbrook
  • Yarmouth

For more about the 'Tree City USA' program or the Tree Cities visit the Arbor Day website here.

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