LINDON — This Utah Valley city wants to add a leafy title to its name: "Tree City USA."
Lindon's City Council has approved a measure that, if accepted by the National Arbor Day Foundation, would place Lindon among 3,074 other "tree cities" across the country — and 40 in Utah — that have pledged to protect and promote green space.
The tree talk started nearly five months ago when a group of concerned citizens approached the council about the possibility of becoming a tree city, said Debbie Cullimore, Lindon City deputy recorder. Since, the city has worked with a community forester and the national group to meet four necessary requirements.
First, there must be some type of governing tree board, which then takes the second step of creating a tree ordinance. Setting up a budget is the third step and, finally, the city must proclaim and celebrate Arbor Day.
"This is probably our biggest, best-known program," said Gary Brienzo, communication manager with The National Arbor Day Foundation. He said the program continues to grow by at least 50 tree cities each year. "Typically, when they become a tree city, they find it's worth their effort to stay one."
Lindon already has a Tree Advisory Board, plans to celebrate Arbor Day and tentatively set aside a budget of almost $20,000, or $2 per Lindon resident, Cullimore said. After a few modifications to the new city ordinance, they'll be ready to plant.
The National Arbor Day Foundation has no specifications as to the number or type of trees that must be planted. That's because every region has different weather and growing conditions, Brienzo said.
Yet once a city receives the deciduous denotation, they must must reapply each year, Brienzo said. No cities are rejected if they meet the requirements.
"We find communities are very proud of being a tree city," he said. "Usually, they don't let it lapse once they get a 'tree state' status."
Benefits from joining the leafy league include recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation, a solid relationship with state foresters, who help with the process, and a sign at the city's entrance, declaring it a member of the "Tree City USA" family.
Lindon's ordinance outlines specifics about pruning methods, tree maintenance and protection, as well as the tasks of the Tree Advisory Board.
The board is responsible for recommending the types of trees to plant, share ideas about how to increase public awareness and support for tree care and encourage the preservation of existing trees. The five members on the volunteer board serve four-year terms and are appointed by the mayor, according to the ordinance.
The few changes requested by the City Council deal with the label of "Heritage Trees" — those that have historical significance or are unusual species.
The council wanted to clarify that a heritage tree can be nominated only by the property owner where the tree is located.
The council also wanted to ensure an appeal process for the removal of heritage trees or those in public areas. That way, if someone wanted to remove a tree and the superintendent of parks and the chairperson of the Tree Advisory Board disagreed, the person could appeal to the city administrator for a final decision.
The addition to Lindon's title would be an interesting and fitting label, as the city was originally named for a tree. According to a brief history on the city's Web site, in 1850 the city was just an outgrowth of Pleasant Grove. It was later named Linden after an old linden tree growing in the town. But when federal mail arrived for a drop at "Lindon," the misspelling and future name stuck.
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