Encinitas has maintained its Tree City USA status for an eighth year, the city announced June 3.

The city earned the Arbor Day Foundation’s notation, which recognizes communities’ efforts to maintain an urban tree canopy. The Tree City USA program was introduced in 1976, according to the Arbor Day Foundation.

“We are truly proud to be a Tree City,” Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear said in the city’s announcement. “We understand the importance of optimizing our tree canopy cover and the future benefits from street trees as global warming continues to impact our environment.”

Nearby cities earning the designation over the past several years include Carlsbad (14 years), Oceanside (10 years) and San Diego (9 years), according to the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA California list.

Encinitas met four requirements to receive the designation:

• A tree board or department, such as the Encinitas Urban Forestry Advisory Committee;
• A tree care ordinance;
• An annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita; Encinitas has a current budget of $10 per capita;
• An Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

Encinitas maintains public trees and the urban forest with in-house crews that perform inspection, pruning and emergency operations, the city stated. Staff members also manage contracts with tree services companies that perform services such as tree removal, pruning and stump grinding.

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