Wheeling has been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to effective urban forest management. This is the first year that the City has received this honor. The Wheeling Tree Board has been working toward this achievement since its inception in 2021. 

“I am pleased to learn the City of Wheeling has been designated as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. There are many benefits to trees in a community including shade, wind reduction, natural stormwater management, increased property values and an improvement of air quality,” said Mayor Glenn Elliott. “The establishment of a Municipal Tree Board in December of 2020 speaks to the City’s belief in the value of trees in our community and I appreciate the Tree Board’s efforts in working towards the Tree City USA designation."

The Tree Board takes great pride in being named a Tree City USA. 

“This award is a clear indication of the City’s commitment to grow and maintain one of our greatest resources: our trees,” said Tree Board President Karen Cox. “Wheeling is fortunate to have 44 percent tree canopy coverage. By removing pollutants and controlling stormwater, these trees provide millions of dollars in value to the City. The Tree Board’s objective is to continue to increase these benefits for the City and its residents.”

The Tree Board invites you to celebrate its new status as a Tree City USA at its Arbor Day Ceremony on Friday, April 12 at the Wheeling Island Boat Launch. The festivities begin at 11:30 a.m. with a Tree Identification Walk to be led by Cox. A tree planting and proclamation will follow at 12:30 p.m.

Tree City USA is a national program that provides the framework for community forestry management in the United States. To qualify to be a Tree City USA, a city has to meet the program’s four requirements: have a tree board or commission, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. These standards ensure that every qualifying community has a viable tree management program.

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.