Hattiesburg, Mississippi – The City of Hattiesburg has been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management for the thirtieth consecutive year.

“Trees bring shade to our homes, provide beauty to our neighborhoods and allow for numerous economic, social and environmental benefits. Communities prosper where trees are planted and where urban forestry programs are a priority. We’re proud to continue carrying the Tree City USA designation,” said Mayor Toby Barker.

Hattiesburg is one of 7 Tree City USA designees in Mississippi that has held the title for 30 or more years. 

To achieve Tree City USA status, a city must meet the following requirements:

• maintain a tree board or a department;
• have a tree ordinance; 
• spend at least $2 per capita on forestry each year (planting and maintaining our city’s forestry assets; and,
• host an Arbor Day celebration annually. 

Arbor Day is celebrated in Mississippi on the second February of the year, in accordance with growing seasons. On Friday, Feb. 11, Barker and the City’s Urban Forestry crews joined 5th graders at Grace Christian Elementary School to celebrate by presenting an Arbor Day Proclamation and planting a tree on their campus. 

“It’s a joy to have watched our city’s investment in urban forestry continue to grow, year over year,” said City Arborist, Andy Parker. “The work we get to do is rewarding, and being able to share the role trees play in our community with our residents and school-aged children is a highlight of that work.”

Trees are assets to a community when properly planted and maintained. They help to improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits.

For more information about the Tree City USA program, visit arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.

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