Forestry
Protecting Arkansas’s forests, and those who enjoy them, from wildland fire and natural hazards while promoting rural and urban forest health, stewardship, development, and conservation for all generations of Arkansans
Urban & Community Forestry
The Urban and Community Forestry Program assists communities, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions by providing tools and information to promote forest stewardship in communities. The Forestry Division provides assistance through district urban forestry representatives from the seven districts, many of whom are certified arborists. These individuals work closely with communities, schools, and non-profit staff and volunteers to increase public awareness about the value of community trees.
This program is made possible through a grant from the USDA Forest Service.
Grants
Arkansas Urban and Community Forestry Grants
Applications for Urban & Community Forestry Assistance grants and the Arkansas Urban & Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act grants are being accepted through September 30, 2024.
The same Request for Proposals (RFP) packet can be used to apply for either opportunity. You may download it as a complete packet here. Completed applications, including the one-page application form, a narrative budget, and supporting documentation, should be scanned into a single pdf document and emailed to: [email protected].
Complete RFP packet: Click here
Fillable form for application cover sheet: Click here
Editable Excel version of sample budget worksheets: Click here
Urban & Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Grants (one-time)
Urban & Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) grants, new this year and specifically for projects benefitting disadvantaged communities as identified by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), do not require the grantee to provide matching funds.
a. Up to $1.4 million in IRA funding is available for IRA subawards (maximum of $500k per project).
b. IRA funds MUST be used for projects in disadvantaged communities as identified by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST). CEJST is a geospatial mapping tool to identify census tracts that are overburdened by climate change, pollution, or other environmental or socioeconomic factors. Communities identified through CEJST are considered disadvantaged because they are overburdened and underserved.
c. Projects funded through IRA subawards may have substantially larger budgets, may span a longer time period for implementation/completion, and do not require the grantee to provide matching funds.
Only applications that meet all General Requirements will be reviewed. The Forestry Division and the Grant Review Committee of the Arkansas Urban Forestry Council will rank grant proposals and award funds based on criteria that include the following:
- Clearly defines the purpose or objective of project
- Clearly states goals, purpose, and/or mission statement of the applicant
- Meets a demonstrated urban & community forestry need
- Helps strengthen and develop local urban & community forestry capacity
- Meets federal and state program objectives
- Involves various partnerships
- Local visibility or awareness of the project
- Long-term benefit of the project
- Clear presentation of budget and use of budget worksheet (enclosed)
- Cost effectiveness
- Realistic time frame for completion
- Acknowledgment of IRA UCF contribution language/signage
- Can be duplicated and/or used as a model in other cities
- Demonstrated ability of the applicant to follow through on project completion
- Enhances environmental, social, cultural, historical, psychological, and economic values
- Clearly defined maintenance plan for projects that involve any planting
Resources for U&CF IRA grants:
- Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST)
https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/#3/33.47/-97.5 - USDA Forest Service – Urban and Community Forestry Program
https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/urban-forests/ucf
Urban & Community Forestry grants, administered by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division, are made available through federal grant funds from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service.
Urban & Community Forestry Assistance Grants (annual)
Urban & Community Forestry Assistance Grants fund community projects that develop, improve, and/or promote urban and community trees and forests. These grants are awarded annually through the Forestry Division’s Urban & Community Forestry Program.
The maximum federal cost share of annual Urban & Community Forestry Assistance grant projects is 50% of the total expenditures for the project. The non-federal match may be cash, services, or in-kind contributions.
- Up to $30 thousand is available for Community Forestry Assistance subawards (maximum of $10k per project).
- Community Forestry Assistance subawards do not have to focus exclusively on disadvantaged communities and may be used to fund projects implemented anywhere in Arkansas.
- Projects funded through Community Forestry Assistance subawards are limited to smaller budgets, must be completed within one year, and require the grantee to provide 1:1 match funding.
Only applications that meet all General Requirements will be reviewed. The Forestry Division and the Grant Review Committee of the Arkansas Urban Forestry Council will rank grant proposals and award funds based on criteria that include the following: improvement to a community’s tree management program; proposed implementation plan for the project; proposed level of community involvement; educational components; and proposed tree care and long-term maintenance. Communities that participate in the Tree City USA, Tree Campus Higher Education, Tree Campus K-12, and Tree Line USA programs will receive additional ranking points.
Examples of eligible projects include:
- Community tree inventories and management plans
- Parking lot improvements for stormwater runoff
- Tree-friendly streets (allowing for root space and canopy growth, adding tree grates, etc.)
- Education and training for tree care workers, volunteers, and the public
- Development of urban food forests
- Park improvements to help reduce sun exposure and cool the air
- Improving tree health with tree maintenance and protection plans, soil amendments, mulching, professional pruning and restoration, watering bags and/or irrigation, etc.
- Greenway development planning and urban stream restoration (including demonstration areas, feasibility studies, maps, etc.)
- Communications materials that increase public awareness of the benefits of urban forests
Urban & Community Forestry grants, administered by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division, are made available through federal grant funds from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service.
For more information about Urban & Community Forestry grants, contact Evette Browning at [email protected]. For more information about the Urban and Community Forestry program, contact Kristine (Krissy) Kimbro at [email protected].
Tree City USA
Tree City USA began in 1976 and is one of the Arbor Day Foundation's oldest programs. The program is co-sponsored by the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. The National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors are now co-sponsors as well.
In 2023, there were 51 Tree City USA communities in Arkansas.
Arkansas Tree City Infographic 2023 (2024 data will be published in June 2025)
Tree City USA online portal (online applications due by December 31 each year) *Arbor Day Foundation’s preferred method of application
Tree City USA paper application (due by December 31 each year)
Find out if your community is a Tree City USA
Benefits of Tree City USA
The Tree City USA designation gives a city the following benefits:
- Encourages tree care and planting programs.
- Citizens become more involved in the planting and care of community trees.
- Applying for Tree City USA initiates the adoption of a tree ordinance to advance tree stewardship.
- Assures that someone is in charge of community trees.
- Fosters adequate funding of tree care programs.
- Enhances livable communities.
- Can help attract new businesses.
- Helps city officials understand the importance of their role in tree conservation.
- Provides opportunities for publicity and education about tree care.
- Helps place tree stewardship on par with other city services and benefits.
- Supports the efforts of individuals interested in the welfare of trees.
- Keeps alive the spirit of Arbor Day and introduces children to trees.
- Stimulates both the development and improvement of community forestry.
- Can win points in grant application processes.
Qualifying For A Tree City USA Award/Designation
To qualify for the designation Tree City USA, a city must meet four standards:
- A forester, city department, or tree board must be designated by ordinance to be responsible for community tree care.
- A community must have a tree care ordinance in effect.
- The community must have an active urban forestry program in place supported by an annual budget of at least $2 per capita.
- The city must proclaim and observe Arbor Day annually.
Becoming a Tree City USA
The following suggestions will guide your community toward the goal of becoming a Tree City USA:
- Develop an Ad Hoc Committee - Potential members include:
- City council member
- Tree maintenance supervisor
- Forester
- Local business owner
- Legal council
- Chamber of Commerce representative
- Educator
- Landscape contractor
- Garden club representative
- Utility company employee
- Develop a Tree Ordinance
- A tree ordinance must designate a tree board or department and give them the responsibility for writing and implementing the annual community forestry work plan. The ordinance should determine public tree-care policies for planting, maintenance, and removals.
- Help Pass the Ordinance
- Write news articles for the local paper to let everyone know the benefits of becoming a Tree City, what the tree ordinance does, and some of the general issues regarding urban forestry.
- Give presentations to local clubs and organizations.
- Present Ordinance to Mayor/Council
- Be prepared to answer questions about Tree City USA and the proposed tree ordinance.
Tree City USA Application
The Tree City USA designation must be renewed each year. The State Forester in each state is responsible for the program. Each current Tree City or a city applying for the Tree City designation must submit the following:
- Community information, including:
- Mayor's contact information
- A list of Tree Board/Department members
- Meeting frequency of Tree Board
- A copy of the community's tree ordinance
- Community forestry program information and budget
- Population
- Tree care budget expenditures for past year
- Number of trees planted, pruned, and removed in past year
- Copy of annual work plan
- Arbor Day celebration information
- Copy of city's official Arbor Day proclamation signed by mayor
- Evidence of Arbor Day celebration - news articles, photos, program of activities
Responsibilities of a Tree Board or Department
- Set up operating procedures, including meeting dates and times and procedure for election of members.
- Focus on meeting the four Tree City USA standards:
- Proclaim Arbor Day
- Celebrate Arbor Day
- Annual work plan
- Funding
- Promote tree stewardship through:
- Educational programs
- Brochures
- Tree planting projects
- Tree workshops
- News releases
- Assist city officials
Tree Ordinance Examples
- Basic Tree Ordinance (132.84 KB)
- Bentonville Tree Ordinance (719.12 KB)
- Conway Tree Ordinance
- Fayetteville Tree Ordinance (91.33 KB)
- Monticello Tree Ordinance (1.96 MB)
- Sample Small Town Tree Ordinance (565.71 KB)
Tree Campus Higher Education
Tree Campus Higher Education began in 2008. The program recognizes college and university campuses that effectively manage their campus trees, develop connectivity with the community beyond campus borders, and engage the student population in community forestry efforts.
Begin the Tree Campus Higher Education application process
Find out if your campus is a Tree Campus Higher Education
Need assistance in getting started or with the application process? Contact the Urban & Community Partnership Coordinator at (501) 580-4054.
Benefits of Tree Campus Higher Education
The Tree Campus Higher Education designation gives a university the following benefits:
- Benefits of trees in the environment include shade, wind blocks, clean air, and more!
- Trees reduce the amount of energy a campus and community need to generate.
- Planting and maintaining trees on your campus reduces carbon dioxide.
- Green space gives people a setting in which to relax.
- Getting students involved in the service-learning projects focused on planting and maintenance of trees encourages their commitment to creating a more sustainable future.
Qualifying For A Tree Campus Higher Education Award/Designation
To qualify for the designation Tree Campus USA, a campus must meet five standards:
- Establishment of a Campus Tree Advisory Committee
- Evidence of a Campus Tree Care Plan
- Verification of dedicated annual expenditures on the Campus Tree Plan
- Involvement in an Arbor Day Observance
- Institution of a service learning project aimed at engaging the student body
Becoming a Tree Campus Higher Education
The following suggestions will guide your campus toward the goal of becoming a Tree Campus USA:
- Get your campus interested! Contact a variety of individuals such as sustainability coordinator, grounds manager/supervisor, facilities manager, collegiate professors, and student environmental group leaders.
- Plan and collaborate with partners and allies. Create the Campus Tree Advisory Committee
- Divide the responsibilities of the five core standards among different experts in the group.
- Invite the community to learn about your campus efforts and join in the Arbor Day celebration. Engage students in the service learning project as well.
- Celebrate Arbor Day.
- Submit your application to arborday.org/TreeCampusUSA by December 31st.
Tree Campus Higher Education Application
The designation Tree Campus Higher Education must be renewed each year. The State Forester in each state is responsible for the program. Each current Tree Campus or campus applying for the Tree Campus designation for the first time must submit the following:
- A completed application, including:
- Potential members
- The Campus Tree Care Plan
- Meeting dates of Tree Advisory Committee
- A list of Tree Advisory Committee members
- An annual work plan
- Dedicated annual expenditures for the Campus Tree Care Program (worksheet)
- Any supportive letters
- Photographs
- Arbor Day Ceremony (include a summary and photos from the event)
- Arbor Day news articles or program of activities
- Service learning project summary, photos, and media coverage
Campus Tree Care Plan
The following must be addressed in your Tree Care Plan:
- Clearly-stated purpose
- Responsible authority/department: who enforces the Campus Tree Care Plan
- Establishment of a Campus Tree Advisory Committee: terms of the representatives and roles committee members play
- Campus tree care policies: planting, landscaping, maintenance, removal, establishing and updating a list of recommend and prohibited species, and managing for catastrophic events
- Protection and preservation policies and procedures - include process for implementing tree protection plan including step-by-step process that every project must follow, including construction and trenching on campus
- Goals and targets: develop at least one goal and target for your Campus Tree Plan
- Tree damage assessment: enforcement, penalties, and appeals
- Prohibited practices
- Definitions of terminology related to campus trees
- Communication strategy: how the campus tree care plan will be communicated to the college community and to contractors to heighten awareness about policies and procedure as well as goals of the institution
Responsibilities of a Tree Committee
- Set up operating procedures, including how officers are elected and meeting dates and times.
- Focus on meeting the Tree Campus USA standards:
- Celebrate Arbor Day
- Student-led service project
- Keep the campus on track to be Tree Campus Higher Education
- Promote tree stewardship through:
- Educational programs
- Brochures
- Tree planting projects
- Tree workshops
- News releases
Tree Campus K-12
More information coming soon on how to apply for this designation in Arkansas.
Tree Line USA
Champion Trees
Shade Trees on Playgrounds (S.T.O.P.)
The Forestry Division's Urban & Community Forestry Program is now accepting applications for participation in the 2024 Shade Trees on Playgrounds program. Applications are due by 11:59 pm on September 27, 2024.
The Shade Trees on Playgrounds (STOP) Program was organized to lower adult skin cancer risk by reducing childhood exposure to direct sunlight where children play, like school and daycare playgrounds. Selected schools receive up to five shade trees, mulch, watering supplies, and planting guidelines after participating in program training. Forestry Division personnel assist with the transport and planting of the trees.
In 2024, the following ten schools were selected to participate in the STOP Program:
- Sidney Deener Elementary School, Searcy
- C.B. Partee Elementary School, Brinkley
- Southside Preschool, Batesville
- Camden Fairview Early Learning Childhood Center, Camden
- Gene George Elementary School, Springdale
- Piggott Elementary School, Piggott
- Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School, Palestine
- Asbell Elementary School, Fayetteville
- Noble Elementary School, Hamburg
- Ashdown Elementary School, Ashdown
The Forestry Division selects up to 10 schools to participate in STOP each year. Selected schools will receive:
- five large hardwood trees. The species of tree each school receives will depend on the location of the school.
- instruction on how to plant and maintain the trees. Forestry Division personnel will help schools prepare for tree planting and will be present to supervise the planting.
- assistance from Forestry Division personnel, who will talk to students and community members about the importance of trees to people and to the environment.
- recognition in local media.
To participate in the STOP program, applicants* should meet the following criteria:
- lack of shade on a school playground
- participate in an online STOP workshop for educators on October 10, 2024
- use provided curriculum materials to emphasize the importance of trees during the week(s) leading up to the tree-planting event
- involve students in tree-related projects that culminate with a school-wide tree-planting ceremony
- hold a tree-planting ceremony prior to December 21, 2024
- be willing to maintain the trees after planting.
*Applicants may be any public or private Arkansas school serving grades pre-K through 12, or a non-traditional educational facility such as a juvenile detention center, residential childcare institution, or long-term care facility that has a playground in need of more shaded areas.
Application
If you prefer a printed application, you can print a PDF version of the Google Form to fill out and mail to: Urban & Community Forestry Program Coordinator, 258 Lower Dam Pike, Arkadelphia, AR, 71923. If submitting a paper copy, please be sure to mail it early enough that it is received by September 27, 2024. The program coordinator will email confirmation of application receipt, so please send an email to the address below requesting verification of application receipt if you do not receive a confirmation email.
Click here ✎ EditSign to access the PDF version of the 2024 STOP Application.
Questions about the STOP Program?
Contact Kristine (Krissy) Kimbro, Urban & Community Forestry Coordinator, at 479-228-7929 or email [email protected].
Free Tree Friday
"The Free Tree Friday seedling giveaway campaign has ended for 2024. The 2025 Free Tree Fridays campaign will run between March 21st and April 25th of 2025."
Tree Recomendations
Small Trees: Approximately 10-30 feet tall at maturity
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Comments |
| Serviceberry | Amelanchier arborea | Height 15-25', white spring flowers, light shade |
| Possum haw | Ilex decidua | Height 20', bright red berries |
| Yaupon holly | Ilex vomitoria | Height 20', evergreen |
| Eastern redbud | Cercis canadensis | Height 30', pink spring flowers |
| Goldenrain tree | Koelreuteria paniculata | Height 30', yellow summer flowers |
| Trident maple | Acer tataricum | Height 20', fall color |
| Hawthorn | Crataegus spathulata | Height 15-30', select thornless varieties |
| Dogwood | Cornus florida | Height 15', spring flowers, requires shade |
Medium Trees: Approximately 30-50 feet tall at maturity
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Comments |
| Thornless honeylocust | Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis | Height 45', small leaf litter, best suited NW Arkansas |
| American hornbeam | Ostrya virginiana | Height 40' |
| Littleleaf linden | Tilia cordata | Height 45', best suited NW Arkansas |
| Chinese/Lacebark elm | Ulmus parvifolia (Allee, Athena) | Height 40', tolerant of poor conditions |
| Zelkova | Zelkova serrata (Green Vase, Village Green,'Musashino') | Height 35- 45', Vase shaped |
| Sugar maple | Acer saccharum 'Newton Sentry' | Height 35', Best suited for NW Arkansas |
| Oak | Quercus x Crimson Spire/Regal Prince/ 'Streetspire'/'Skinny Genes'/Kindred Spirit | Height 45', narrow or columnar trees |
| Pondcypress | Taxodium ascendens 'Prairie Sentinel' | Height 45', narrow or columnar tree |
| River birch | Betula nigra Heritage/ Dura-Heat | Height 40', beautiful exfoliating bark when young |
| Birch | Betula x Royal Frost | Height 40'. white bark when young; purple leaves |
| Red cedar | Juniperus virginiana | Height 50', huge leaves, long pods |
| Persimmon | Diospyros virginiana | Height 50', pale orange fruit sweetened after frost, almost black bark, good fall color |
| Sassafras | Sassafras albidum | Height 50', all parts aromatic, lobed leaves are yellow-orange in fall, blue berries |
| Carolina silverbell | Halesia carolina | Height 40', outstanding white, bell shaped flowers in spring, bark is showey in winter |
| Smoke tree | Cotinus obovatus | Height 40', stringy reddish flowers look like tufts of smoke, bright red to orange fall color |
| Yellowwood | Cladrastis kentukea | Height 50', large flowers hang in showy clusters in spring |
| Paw paw | Asimina triloba | Height 40', fruit for wildlife |
| Chinese pistache | Pistacia chinensis | Height 35', drought tolerant, fall color |
| American holly | Ilex opaca | Height 35', evergreen, red berries |
| Blackgum | Nyssa sylvatica | Height 50', fall color, fruit for birds |
Large Trees: Approximately 50-100 feet tall at maturity
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Comments |
| Ginkgo | Ginkgo biloba | Height 50+', pollution tolerant |
| American sycamore | Platanus occidentalis | Height up to 100', fast growing, showy bark, tolerant of wet soil |
| Baldcypress | Tacodium distichum | Height 70', tolerant of drought and wet soil |
| Dawn redwood | Metasequoia glyptostrobidies | Height 70', drought tolerant |
| Kentucky coffeetree | Gymnocladus dioicus | Height 75', drought and pollution tolerant |
| Northern red oak | Quercus rubrum | Height 75', pollution and compacted soils tolerant, acorns for wildlife |
| Southern magnolia | Magnolia grandiflora | Height 80', evergreen, large white flowers, small cultivars available |
| Tuliptree | Lirodendron tulipifera | Height 90', fast-growing, yellow flowers |
| Willow oak | Quercus phellos | Height 60', tolerates poorly-drained soils, acorns for wildlife |
| Shumard oak | Quercus shumardii | Height 60', fall color, acorns for wildlife, best oak for fall color |
| Mockernut hickory | Carya tomentosa | Height 80', nuts for wildlife, fall color |
| Shortleaf pine | Pinus echinata | Height up to 100', evergreen |
| White oak | Quercus alba | Height 100', acorns for wildlife |
| Catalpa | Catalpa speciosa | Height 60', large white flower clusters in spring, huge leaves, long pods |
| Sweetgum | Liquidambar styraciflua | Height 80', good fall color, ball-shaped pods litter the ground, ask for sterile cultivars |
| Hackberry | Celtis occidentalis | Height 60', good for difficult sites, leaves disintegrate in fall |
| Bitternut hickory | Carya cordiformis | Height 70', leaf buds are yellow, bright yellow fall color, bitter nuts are not favored by wildlife |
| Shagbark hickory | Carya ovata | Height 80', gray, shaggy, lined patches of bark cover the trunk of older trees, large leaves, good fall color |
| Linden (Basswood) | Tilia americana | Height 80', a relative of Little Leaf Linden, prefers sun and is heat tolerant |
| Black locust | Robinia pseudoacacia | Height 80' fragrant, showy flowers in spring |
| Cucumber magnolia | Magnoila acuminata | Height 70', large greenish flowers,green finger-sized fruits, turn purple-red as they mature |
| Sugar maple | Acer saccarum | Height 70', great fall color, a good shade tree for large lawn |
| Bur oak | Quercus macrocarpa | Height 80', largest acorn of Arkansas native oaks (up to 2 " in diameter |
| Cherrybark oak | Quercus falcata var. pagodifolia | Height 80', good form, red fall color, attractive bark |
| Pecan | Carya illinoensis | Height 80', graceful trunk lines, good for shade |
| Loblolly pine | Pinus taeda | Height 90', blue green needles, |
| Black walnut | Juglans nigra | Height 70', broadly branching, good shade tree, long narrow leaves, valuable nuts |
Resources
Cultivating Tree Advocates on City Council
Tree Planting and Care
Properly planted and properly maintained trees are healthy trees. These samples will help you with the development of specifications, bids, and proposals for hiring professionals for tree planting and tree maintenance.
