Oregon Public Broadcasting

Three more Oregon cities are being recognized for their care of trees. April Baer reports.

Tree City? That could be just about any city in Oregon. But the National Arbor Day Foundation reserves special merit for towns that take better care of their trees.

This year, Dallas, Lincoln City, and Gresham are joining about fifty other Oregon cities known as Tree City USA communities.

Gresham planning director Mike Abbate explains what his city did to merit the designation.

Mike Abbate: "We hired new staff last year who's an urban forestry planner, we have an urban forestry subcommittee made up of citizen volunteers -- that's a requirement, you have to have some kind of a tree board."

Designated cities also spend a certain amount of money per capita for the protection and enhancement of trees.

Abbate says healthy, plentiful trees help a city environment, cooling down hot spots and storing stormwater. They're also good for property values. The three cities will receive awards at Arbor Week festivities starting Monday.