As the Arbor Day Foundation wraps up another year of recognition program work and celebrates the 50th year of Tree City USA, organization leaders want to thank the Forestry Commission and our Urban & Community Forestry team for our continued partnership and leadership in advancing urban and community forestry in South Carolina.
Across the country, communities, utilities, and campuses continue to show what’s possible when trees are prioritized. This past year:
- 3,636 communities earned Tree City USA recognition
- 152 utilities were recognized through Tree Line USA
- 395 campuses participated in Tree Campus Higher Education
These numbers reflect meaningful, on-the-ground impact, made possible in part by efforts at the state level.
Here are some SC-specific stats:
- We have 47 Tree City USA communities
- Across the state, 8 Tree City USA Growth Awards have been earned
- We’re home to 9 Tree Campuses
- $18,389,213 has been spent on urban forestry management by recognized partners
- 6,014 trees have been planted by 56 recognized partners
The organization also extended a sincere thank you to Frances Waite and Lowe Sharpe for their ongoing leadership and collaboration. Their efforts continue to play an important role in both program success and in supporting the communities and partners we serve.
Tree City USA in South Carolina
City of Florence
Congratulations to the City of Florence, which has been recognized for achieving its 46th year as a Tree City USA and its 19th year of Tree Growth Awards by the Arbor Day Foundation!
This is a huge accomplishment! For reference, Florence has the most Tree Growth Award of any SC city! Plus, only the City of Columbia (47 years) has more Tree City USA awards than Florence, and only the Town of Cheraw matches Florence’s 46 years.
The demands for maintaining and improving the city’s urban forest have been increasing along with Florence’s population growth, with additional people moving into the surrounding areas. This growing need for cooling shade on homes, businesses, park grounds and walking routes comes with longer than expected stretches of unusually hot summer temperatures.
For nearly half a century, the city of Florence has been diligently investing manpower and money to establish healthy trees and a healthy tree canopy to make Florence as cool, green and welcoming as possible. Florence’s Public Works and Parks & Beautification Commission truly lead in exceeding this challenge.
To become a Tree City USA in 2025, Florence:
- Removed 144 hazardous trees
- Pruned 2,085 trees
- Planted 287 trees
- Logged 288 citizen volunteer hours
To obtain the Tree Growth Award in 2025, Florence:
- Planted twice as many trees as removed (287 planted, 144 removed)
- Chipped or composted all debris (15,200 tons) from city vegetation activities, using the mulch for city landscaping and also offering it to citizens for free
- Held three Tree Care Workshops: Earth Day Tree Giveaway April 22, Bradford Pear Bounty March 1 and TreesSC Canopy Session October 4th
SCFC Piedmont Region Urban Forestry Specialist Ann Huyler presented both awards to Florence’s Director of Public Works Director, Adam Swindler, Public Works Manager Matthew Watts and the Parks & Beautification Commission at a meeting June 4.
City of Chesterfield
The City of Chesterfield is recognized for obtaining its 34th year as a Tree City USA in 2025 by the Arbor Day Foundation. Last year, city staff pruned 18 trees and removed two hazardous trees.
For the city’s 2025 Arbor Day Celebration, Parks & Recreation Director Jody Rhyne and Mayor Bittle, III, planted two red maples (Acer rubrum) near the water tower on N Oak St.
For all of those 34 years, the Town Clerk and Treasurer Betty Lynn Watson has applied for or assisted in applying for Tree City USA recognition. First with Mayor John Douglas, who initiated the first application, and then to present day with Parks & Recreation Director Jody Rhyne.
Because of the hard work and dedication of its city staff, Chesterfield has maintained Tree City USA status continuously from 1992-2025.
Piedmont Region Urban Forestry Specialist Ann Huyler presented the 2025 Tree City USA Awards to City Council, Mayor Bittle III, Jody Rhyne and Mrs. Betty Lynn Watson July 9.
