Highland Park Named Tree City USA For 2026

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — The city of Highland Park has made the Arbor Day Foundation's 2026 Tree City USA list.

Now in its 50th year, Tree City USA started in 1976 as a movement to strengthen the health and well-being of people and places. Highland Park has made the list for 46 years.

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For 2026, Highland Park also received a Tree City USA Growth Award for showing improvement and an outstanding level of tree care.

"As one of the longest standing members of this group, it shows the city's deep-rooted commitment to the preservation of its urban forest," city officials said.

There are 3,636 Tree Cities nationwide, with 49 percent of the U.S. population living in a Tree City USA. In 2025, more than 1 million trees were planted and 85 cities became Tree Cities for the first time.

To be recognized as a Tree City, communities must meet the program's four requirements:

• Maintaining a tree board or department
• Having a tree-care ordinance
• Dedicating an annual community forestry budget of at least $2/capita
• Hosting an Arbor Day observance and proclamation

“While a lot has changed over the last five decades, trees have remained a constant and crucial part of improving the health and wellbeing of our communities. In the last 50 years Tree City USA — and the incredible network of tree champions who have supported it — has shaped a legacy of meaningful civic impact,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “This milestone is a tribute to the local leaders who are working everyday to grow hope across the country.”