Salem Recognized as Oregon’s Tree City of the Year, Celebrates 50 Years as a Tree City USA

Salem's Upright European Hornbeams, Pacific Madrones and White Oaks took center stage during the City Council meeting March 23 at Loucks Auditorium.

At that meeting, City Councilor Micki Varney (Ward 8), on behalf of Mayor Julie Hoy and the Salem City Council, proclaimed April as Arbor Month, City staff presented the 2025 Tree Report and Scott Altenhoff, Urban and Community Forestry Program manager for the Oregon Department of Forestry, announced that Salem had been selected as the department's Tree City of the Year.

This recognition comes as Salem celebrates its 50th year as a founding member of the Tree City USA program.

"Salem has been on the leading edge of urban and community forestry since 1976," Altenhoff said. "Upon meeting the dedicated staff at the City of Salem, I was humbled, to say the least, to see their unique approach, grounded in adherence to cutting-edge science and best practices.

"The City of Salem's team, which involves not just the Urban Forestry team, but the Planning Department, Parks and Recreation, Public Works - it's truly an interdisciplinary approach, and that's what really results in the excellence that has brought this award."

The department cited several reasons for honoring Salem this year, including the City's diversified tree plantings in natural areas, parks and along streets; maintenance of professionally credentialed arborists to manage the City's public trees; and work to increase Salem's tree canopy (the percent of land area in the city covered by trees) to 28 percent.

"They have been leaders, working to meet the many challenges facing Oregon's urban forests using recommended best practices," Altenhoff said. "Salem's updated tree ordinance and increased tree planting show Salem's commitment to both protecting existing canopy and growing the city's urban forest."

Salem's Tree City Roots Run Deep

Half a century ago, Salem became one of the first 42 communities recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in the first year of the program. Salem was the only community from Oregon that year.

"Salem, Oregon, stands out as one of only 16 communities that has achieved Tree City USA recognition for all 50 years of the program," said Eric North, program manager with the Arbor Day Foundation. "Salem's dedication to community improvement through trees is an amazing accomplishment! Congratulations and thank you for all the hard work and commitment.

"We hope to continue recognizing Salem's achievements over the next 50 years!"

City Council Receives Tree Report

Salem's Tree Report highlights the Urban Forestry Division's efforts in 2025, including the documentation of nearly 50,000 trees, planning for the arrival of Emerald ash borer, a destructive forest pest, and launching a three-year internship program.