The Tree Cities of the World programme, led by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Arbor Day Foundation, is an initiative to recognise cities and towns across all continents that meet core standards for the care and planning of urban trees and forests.

The vision of the Tree Cities of the World programme is to connect cities around the world in a new network dedicated to sharing and adopting the most successful approaches to managing urban trees and forests. Recognition through the Tree Cities of the World programme represents the first step toward achieving a green vision for the qualifying communities.

Achieving Recognition

Trees for Cities is leading the initiative to recruit and support cities throughout the UK to apply for designation and we have been encouraging and supporting councils to achieve the award.

To achieve recognition, cities must meet the programme’s five core standards:

• have clear responsibility for tree care
• set official tree management rules
• update an inventory of local tree resources
• allocate a dedicated tree planting budget
• and hold an annual tree celebration event with the community.

LATEST UPDATES

27 UK towns and cities have been recognised as ‘Tree Cities of the World’ in the latest round of applications - a new UK record! These councils are now joining an international network of towns and cities dedicated to fostering the best urban forestry practices. All UK nations are represented, with Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff leading the way outside of multiple towns and cities across England.

• Barking and Dagenham Council 
• Belfast City Council  
• Birmingham City Council 
• Bradford City Council 
• London Borough of Camden 
• Cardiff Council  
• Coventry City Council 
• Doncaster Council  
• City of Edinburgh Council  
• Hull City Council 
• Ipswich Borough Council 
• London Borough of Islington 
• Leeds City Council 
• Middlesbrough Council 
• Newcastle City Council  
• Newport City Council 
• Plymouth City Council 
• London Borough of Redbridge 
• Sheffield City Council 
• Solihull Council 
• Stockton-On-Tees Borough Council 
• Telford and Wrekin Council  
• Tower Hamlets Council 
• Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council 
• Wirral Council  
• Wokingham Borough Council 
• Wrexham County Borough Council 

Well done to all the councils!

Big thanks to players of People's Postcode Lottery for their support which has enabled us to take a lead the initiative in the UK!