Tree Cities of the World
We're proud to be part of the Tree Cities of the World programme, connecting cities around the world to create a network dedicated to sharing how we all manage urban trees and forests to make our cities greener and more robust.
The Tree Cities of the World programme, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Arbor Day Foundation, is an initiative to recognise towns and cities 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 towards 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 has been encouraging and supporting councils to achieve the award.
To achieve recognition, cities must meet the programme’s five core standards. They must:
- 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
26 UK towns and cities have been recognised as ‘Tree Cities of the World’ in the 2025 round of applications. 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.
Congratulations to:
- Barking and Dagenham,
- Belfast,
- Birmingham,
- Cardiff,
- City of Bradford MDC,
- Coventry,
- Doncaster,
- Edinburgh,
- Halton,
- Hull,
- Ipswich,
- Islington,
- Leeds,
- Lewisham,
- London Borough of Camden,
- London Borough of Redbridge,
- Newcastle upon Tyne,
- Newport,
- Sheffield,
- Solihull,
- Stockton‑on‑Tees,
- Telford,
- Tower Hamlets,
- Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council,
- Wirral, and
- Wokingham.
Big thanks to players of the Postcode Lottery for their support which has enabled us to take a lead with the initiative in the UK!
Tree Cities of the World Highlights
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27 New UK Tree Cities of the World
4 March 2025
A record number of UK towns and cities have been awarded Tree Cities of the World status for their leading work in urban forestry.
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Record number of UK Councils recognised as Tree Cities of the World
5 June 2024
We're thrilled to welcome 26 UK 'Tree Cities' to the international Tree Cities of the World network committed to maintaining and celebrating their urban forests.
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World Forum on Urban Forests 2023
30 November 2023
Two Trees for Cities delegates attended the second World Forum on Urban Forests. Roddy Shaw, Development Manager at Trees for Cities, shares his experience.
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21 UK Councils recognised as Tree Cities of the World!
12 April 2023
21 UK towns and cities have been recognised as ‘Tree Cities of the World’, joining an international network of towns and cities dedicated to fostering urban forestry practices.
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Record number of cities in UK recognised as Tree Cities of the World
11 May 2022
19 cities in the United Kingdom received special recognition as a Tree City of the World for their commitment to effective urban forestry management.
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UK Tree Cities of the World - Spotlight on Bradford
8 December 2020
The City of Bradford has been internationally recognised in the first cohort of six UK Tree Cities of the World for its commitment to urban forestry management.