Smithtown Named Tree City, USA
Since 1986, the Town of Smithtown has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The National Arbor Day Foundation is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits that trees provide including wildlife habitat, improving air quality and increasing property values.
The National Arbor Day Foundation provides guidance on proper tree care and maintenance, and recognizes communities as a Tree City, USA if they have tree care programs that meet four criteria. The four criteria include:
- A local ordinance to protect trees
- Funding of a local tree care program at a minimum of $2 per capita
- A “tree board” to oversee the local tree care program
- An annual observance of Arbor Day
Working to Keep the Title
The elected Town Board functions as Smithtown’s tree board and oversees the tree care activities of the Parks Department, Highway Department, Planning Department, Traffic Safety Department and the Town Department of Environment and Waterways.
The town employs a Certified Arborist as an Urban Forester to ensure that town trees are professionally managed to the highest possible standards. The town’s recent receipt of the National Arbor Day Foundation’s recognition marks the thirty-sixth consecutive year that the Town of Smithtown has been designated a Tree City, USA!