Watercress Capital of the World.

The Rocket City.

Hockey Capital of the South.

Pentagon of the South.

To its growing list of monikers, Huntsville has one that brings its own sense of pride to the community: Tree City USA.

For 35 years, the city has had this designation by the Arbor Day Foundation. The honor underscores Huntsville’s long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship.

“Trees are more than part of our landscape, they are part of our quality of life,” Mayor Tommy Battle said. “They clean our air, provide shade, and make our city beautiful. Arbor Day reminds us to protect and plant for the future.”

Battle was joined by District 1 Council Member Michelle Watkins, community leaders, students and environmental advocates, including Smoky Bear, last Friday at the Dr. Robert Shurney Legacy Center to celebrate Arbor Day, which is every Feb. 20 in Huntsville.

Tree City USA is an annual national recognition program by the Arbor Day Foundation to raise awareness of the value of community trees, set foundational standards for communities of all sizes and celebrate community improvement.

Several awards were presented at the event, including the Tree Hero Award, Tree City USA Award, and Tree Line USA Award recognizing individuals and organizations that champion urban forestry.

A special proclamation honored John Allen for his contributions to Huntsville’s tree canopy.

In addition to the Tree City USA designation, the Arbor Day Foundation has awarded Huntsville with the Growth Award for the past seven years. The award recognizes Tree City USA communities for outstanding tree care and community engagement.

Hosted by the Huntsville Tree Commission with support from the city’s Green Team, the celebration featured proclamations, poetry readings, and Arbor Day posters created by James Dawson Elementary School students.

The Alabama A&M FireDawgs presented a fire prevention demonstration and guests received tree seedlings courtesy of the Alabama Forestry Commission.

Battle presented an Arbor Day Proclamation before joining dignitaries for a ceremonial tree planting, an annual tradition that symbolizes Huntsville’s dedication to preserving green spaces.

The Arbor Day Foundation has awarded Huntsville with the Growth Award for seven consecutive years, recognizing the city’s “higher-level commitment” beyond basic standards, such as enhanced community engagement, innovative tree care, and expanded management plans.

Huntsville meets the four core standards of the foundation: Maintaining a tree board or department, having a tree care ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on forestry, and hosting an annual Arbor Day celebration.

The city’s guidelines, often updated, ensure proper tree planting, maintenance, and protection on public land, and promote public awareness of tree benefits.

The Green Team hosts annual tree planting events, such as the Mayor’s Tree Planting Day at John Hunt Park, and works on preserving urban trees, including relocating them for infrastructure projects.The city’s Landscape Management Department and the Tree Commission oversee the planting and maintenance of trees.

Huntsville Utilities was recognized with theTree Line USA designation for meeting standards regarding quality tree care, annual worker training, tree planting/public education, and tree-based energy conservation.

“Urban forestry is critical to Huntsville’s sustainability and every tree we plant today, tomorrow and beyond benefits generations to come,” Landscape Management Director Brian Walker said. “We’re proud to partner with the Huntsville Tree Commission and community volunteers to expand our tree canopy.”