By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

During a meeting last month, the Berlin Parks Commission discussed pursuing Tree City USA recognition, a program that encourages communities to prioritize planting and caring for trees.

The discussion followed a presentation by Greg Eastman of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Service.

During the meeting, Eastman outlined the Tree City USA program and how it could benefit the Town of Berlin through recognition, technical assistance, and potential funding opportunities for tree planting and care.

Eastman said that as a Snow Hill native with an environmental science background, he took quick notice of Berlin’s potential as a candidate for the program.

“Berlin jumped to the top of the list,” Eastman said. “A lot of this is already in place for you guys. It shouldn’t be a hard lift.”

For instance, last year, the Town of Berlin’s Horticultural Committee led a “Keep Berlin Cool” program, funded by the Maryland Coastal Bays Program, to increase the town’s urban tree canopy and reduce stormwater runoff. The project included planting native trees on public and private properties.

Tree City USA is a national recognition program administered by the Arbor Day Foundation to acknowledge communities for their urban forestry efforts. Municipalities must meet four standards to qualify.

The first guideline is having a designated tree board or department responsible for overseeing tree-related matters. Eastman noted that this need not be a formal entity and could include public works, planning, a horticultural group, or another town body.

“It’s up for you guys to decide,” Eastman told the parks commission.

The second requirement is to adopt a public tree care ordinance that defines responsibilities for tree maintenance, protection, and related issues. Parks Commission staff liaison and Town of Berlin Special Projects Administrator Kate Daub noted that Berlin currently lacks a tree care ordinance, which would need to be drafted and approved by the Berlin Town Council.

Eastman said model ordinances are available from the Arbor Day Foundation and can be customized by the town, provided they meet minimum standards.

The third mandate to qualify for the designation is an annual per-capita investment of at least $2 in tree care. Based on Berlin’s population of roughly 5,000, that would amount to about $10,000 per year. Eastman explained that eligible expenses include tree planting and maintenance, public works labor, leaf and brush pickup, administrative time, and even volunteer hours.

The final requirement is holding an annual Arbor Day event. The DNR representative said this can range from a small tree-planting to a larger community celebration. The event must be documented with photos and include a proclamation from the mayor.

Eastman added that all documentation for initial recognition would be due by Dec. 31, 2026, giving the town ample time to prepare.

“I would say wintertime, that’s board oversight, reviewing the model ordinances and trying to get it passed by this spring, and then once you get through the Arbor Day celebration, it’s really just budget and activity tracking and then submitting it,” he said. “So, you’ll be busy in the spring and then continue to do what you normally do.”

Berlin is not a stranger to environmental recognition. In 2018, the town was officially designated as a Bee City through the Bee City USA program.

According to the Town of Berlin’s website, the project’s purpose is to “raise awareness of the role pollinators play in our communities, encourage healthy habitats, and celebrate achievements.”

Daub said that she believes the Tree City USA designation would be valuable recognition for the Town of Berlin.

“It would be a missed opportunity for us not to pursue it,” she said.