Wentzville Named Tree City USA

The city of was recently named a Tree City USA by the national Arbor Day Foundation.

To become a Tree City USA, cities must meet four standards:

1. Have a tree board or department
2. A tree care ordinance
3. Comprehensive community forestry program
4. Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

The city's park board serves as its tree committee.

"We commend Wentzville'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, said in a press 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 have taken the time to meet the four standards, they know that trees add the following to their community:

• Promote healthier communities by filtering the air we breathe by removing dust and other particles
• Moderate climate, conserve water and provide vital habitat for wildlife
• Reduce the heat island effect in urban areas caused by pavement and buildings
• Increase property values and reduce energy use.
• Add beauty to homes and neighborhoods.

Several other local cities also have the Tree City USA designation, including:

• Ballwin-Ellisville 
• Brentwood
• Chesterfield
• Clayton-Richmond Heights
• Creve Coeur
• Dardenne Prairie
• Fenton
• Florissant
• Kirkwood
• Lake Saint Louis
• Maryland Heights
• O'Fallon
• St. Charles
• St. Peters