West Orange Named Tree City USA for 17th Year

West Orange has been named a 2102 Tree City USA for the 17th year in a row by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management, Mayor Robert D. Parisi announced Thursday.

“West Orange has always placed a high priority on the environment and we are honored that Tree City USA has recognized us for 20 years,” Parisi said.

The township will officially celebrate Arbor Day at Redwood Elementary on Friday, April 26 at 1 p.m. It will celebrate by planting a Metasequoia tree at an annual ceremony featuring an Arbor Day Proclamation, the presentation of the township’s ‘Heart of Green’ award and will distribute seedlings to guests and participants.

"Everyone benefits when elected officials, volunteers and committed citizens in communities like West Orange make smart investments in urban forests,” John Roseno, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation said.

The township achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements:

• a tree board or department
• a tree-care ordinance
• an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita
• an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.