The City of Boerne has once again been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to urban forestry. The honor, given in recognition of the City’s work in 2021, marks the 12th-straight year Boerne has achieved this status.
“The City of Boerne understands the importance of fostering our natural resources, including the protection and planting of trees in our community spaces,” City Manager Ben Thatcher said. “I’m proud of the work done throughout the year by our Parks and Recreation staff and community partners toward this goal.”
While Arbor Day is observed nationally in April, Texas Arbor Day is held on the first Friday in November, when the weather is more favorable to planting trees.
In November 2021, the Parks and Recreation Department planted 20 native trees at Boerne City Lake Park with the help of the Boerne Rotary Club, Burkett Arbor Care, and the Texas A&M Forest Service. Together, the group planted cider elms, chinquapin oaks, Mexican sycamores, and Monterrey trees.
The four requirements to become a Tree City USA are to (1) form a tree board or department, (2) create a tree care ordinance, (3) have an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and (4) conduct an Arbor Day observance or proclamation.
Some of the benefits of planting trees include reducing energy consumption, keeping the city cooler in the hot summer months, helping to clean water, and creating animal habitats to encourage biodiversity, according to the Arbor Day Foundation.
“Tree City USA communities benefit from the positive effects that an urban tree canopy has year after year,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The trees being planted and cared for by Boerne ensures that generation to come will enjoy a better quality of life.”
Boerne is one of more than 3,600 communities across the country to be recognized by the Tree City USA program.
