Smithtown Named Tree City USA For 34th Straight Year

SMITHTOWN, NY — The Town of Smithtown will keep its reputation as a Tree City USA for the 34th year in a row, the town announced Tuesday.

The township was first declared Tree City USA in 1986 by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The town has since aimed to manage a vigorous and sustainable urban forestry program.

"I am truly grateful for the commitment and dedication exhibited daily by our Urban Foresters and the Department of Environment and Waterways; led by David Barnes," Supervisor Edward Wehrheim stated. "The quality of our green space has never been more paramount to the health of our community. As we continue to live in a worldwide pandemic, Smithtown’s beautiful parks, downtown areas and neighborhoods have become a sanctuary for everyone to find peace of mind."

The town was also recognized with a "Growth Award" by the Arbor Day Foundation. The award is given when a town completes major milestones and annual activities to build a sustainable community forestry program. Smithtown completed a portion of tree inventory and implemented a public tree care guide, which is delivered to each home where a town tree is planted. The town has currently inventoried 10,000 street trees — or 20 percent of the town’s estimated 50,000 total street tree census.

In addition to these growth initiatives, the Town of Smithtown Urban Forestry division launched a rigorous awareness campaign and has applied for a grant from Long Island Invasive Species Management Area (LIISMA) to survey ash trees for the emerald ash borer beetle. In 2020 the Town of Smithtown Department of Environment and Waterways and its highway department planted more than 675 trees together.

The National Arbor Day Foundation is a countrywide not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the benefits that trees provide for wildlife habitat, improving air quality and increasing property values. The foundation recognizes communities as a Tree City USA with tree care programs that meet four criteria: A local ordinance to protect trees, funding of a local tree care program at a minimum of $2 per capita, a "tree board" to oversee the local tree care program and annual observance of Arbor Day.