Crestwood recently was recognized by the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA community for its commitment to urban forestry.

Crestwood has earned this national designation for 16 years.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.

Crestwood has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community. Tree City USA communities must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

“We commend Crestwood’s elected officials, volunteers and its citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest,” John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation, stated in a news release. “Trees provide numerous environmental, economical and health benefits to millions of people each day, and we applaud communities that make planting and caring for trees a top priority.”

Communities that earn Tree City USA recognition not only meet the four standards, they know that trees:

• Promote healthier communities by filtering the air by removing dust and other particles.

• Moderate climate, conserve water and provide vital habitat or wildlife.

• Reduce the heat island effect in urban areas caused by pavement and buildings.

• Increase property values and reduce energy use and add beauty to homes and neighborhoods.

Crestwood recently was recognized by the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA community for its commitment to urban forestry.

Crestwood has earned this national designation for 16 years.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.

Crestwood has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community. Tree City USA communities must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

“We commend Crestwood’s elected officials, volunteers and its citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest,” John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation, stated in a news release. “Trees provide numerous environmental, economical and health benefits to millions of people each day, and we applaud communities that make planting and caring for trees a top priority.”

Communities that earn Tree City USA recognition not only meet the four standards, they know that trees:

• Promote healthier communities by filtering the air by removing dust and other particles.

• Moderate climate, conserve water and provide vital habitat or wildlife.

• Reduce the heat island effect in urban areas caused by pavement and buildings.

• Increase property values and reduce energy use and add beauty to homes and neighborhoods.

Crestwood earns Tree City USA recognition

The National Arbor Day Foundation has named Crestwood a Tree City USA.

This is the eighth year Crestwood has re-ceived this national recognition sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service.

To become a Tree City USA, a community must meet four standards: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance.

“Trees in our cities and towns help clean the air, conserve soil and water, moderate temperature and bring nature into our daily lives,” National Arbor Day Foundation Pres-ident John Rosenow said. “(The) Tree City USA designation recognizes the work of elected officials, staff and citizens who plant and care for the community forest.”

“Trees are a vital component of the infrastructure in our towns and cities, and provide many environmental and economical benefits,” Rosenow added. “A community, and its citizens, that recognizes these benefits and provides needed care for its trees deserves recognition and thanks.”