OKC honored again as a Tree City USA

Oklahoma City has been recognized again as a Tree City USA for meeting standards that support tree planting and care. 

The Arbor Day Foundation awards cities that meet requirements for tree management, including having a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance. 

“Trees in Oklahoma City are of utmost importance,” Forestry Supervisor David Summers said. “Not only do they provide shaded areas from the summer sun, create habitat for a rich population of wildlife and help with air pollution, but their aesthetics and presence give the community great joy and pride in their neighborhoods. Planning, planting and caring for our trees is a legacy we leave to our future residents. With ongoing care, we can all enjoy and take pride in our stunning and diverse tree population for generations to come.” 

To mark the Tree City USA designation, the OKC Parks Forestry Division shared several of its preferred tree species in OKC: 

• Arizona cypress—A tree that thrives in harsh conditions. 
• Cedar of Lebanon—Rare in the city, but a few examples can be found. 
• Ginkgo—A Japanese import with colorful fall foliage. 
• Oklahoma redbud—A short-lived Oklahoma icon known for its spring color but requires careful placement. 
• Pecan—Grows well in the region and produces nuts. 
• Shumard oak—A resilient tree filled with beautiful fall colors. 

Most of these species, except the Cedar of Lebanon, are found in the Margaret Annis Boys Arboretum at Will Rogers Gardens, a free, 10-acre public space with hundreds of tree varieties and an accessible trail. Some of the arboretum’s oldest trees were planted in the 1930s by horticulturalist Henry Walter. 

To observe Arbor Day, originally held Friday, April 25, staff at Will Rogers Gardens plan to plant six trees, including Austrian pine, bald cypress and bur oak, once the ground dries in May. 

“A healthy tree canopy is vital for a truly resilient city,” T.O. Bowman, program planner with the city’s Office of Sustainability, said. “Trees are one of the most important natural resources we have, as they help cities manage stormwater, erosion, air quality and the effects of extreme heat while creating habitat for a variety of wildlife. With more than 28 days over 100°F projected for Oklahoma City by mid-century, preserving and maintaining existing trees will be as crucial as adding new trees to the canopy in the coming decades.” 

The Arbor Day Foundation also honors campuses with the designation of Tree Campus. This year, for the 14th consecutive year, Oklahoma City Community College was named a Tree Campus. 

From 2011 to 2024, OCCC has received more Tree Campus recertifications than any other higher education institution in Oklahoma, a distinction it shares with one other college. 

"Oklahoma City Community College is committed to being a tree-friendly campus and proud to maintain a tenure of recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation and the Tree Campus program," said Dr. Mautra Staley Jones, president of OCCC. "OCCC is dedicated to enhancing community well-being through tree education, investment and community engagement."  

The Tree Campus program recognizes colleges, universities and health care facilities that use trees to support community spaces. To qualify, institutions must meet five criteria: host an advisory committee, maintain a campus tree care plan, track annual spending on tree care, observe Arbor Day and lead a student service-learning project. 

The Arbor Day Foundation estimates that trees can reduce costs for energy, stormwater management and erosion control, returning up to five times their planting cost. Shade from trees near buildings can cut energy use by as much as 25%.