Tree City USA

Tree City USAIn 2018, the City of St. Augustine commemorated its 35th year of receiving the prized designation of Tree City USA from the National Arbor Day Foundation. There are over 160 cities in the State of Florida which have received the designation of Tree City USA, but only 10 have received the designation longer than St. Augustine. In addition, the Foundation presented the city with the Tree City USA Growth Award, an honor it has received for over 25 years.

The Official Tree

On October 24, 2011, with the passage of Resolution 2011-28, the City Commission designated the Red Cedar as St. Augustine's official tree.

National Arbor Day

While National Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April, individual states hold ceremonies on dates better suited to their own tree-planting season. Florida’s Arbor Day is celebrated on the third Friday in January. The site for the annual Arbor Day ceremony and the type of tree planted changes from year to year.

List of Trees

For a list of the trees planted in St. Augustine over the past 35 or more years, view the Trees Planted (PDF).

Our Ceremonies

Over the last decade, ceremonies have included planting Holly, Live Oak, Red Maple, and Sycamore trees at:

  • Davenport Park
  • Eddie Vickers Recreational Facility
  • Francis Field
  • Government House
  • J. Edward “Red” Cox Recreational Facility
  • Joseph Pomar, Jr. Recreational Facility
  • The Plaza de la Constitución
  • Sebastian Inland Harbor

Arbor Day Ceremony at Lighthouse Park