For 20 years, the city of Clayton, Missouri, (Craig Owens, city manager) has been named Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation, honoring the city for its commitment to urban forestry and for demonstrating progress in its community forestry program.

Clayton met four standards to become a Tree City USA community: It has a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program with annual expenditures, and an Arbor Day observance.

In April 2013, a 100-year-old tree ring that came from a fallen tree in a city park was on display at the local community center to help Clayton celebrate its centennial year of incorporation. The tree’s rings mark milestones throughout Clayton’s history.

Beginning April 1, trees along a city boulevard were wrapped with a bow and special messages were displayed about the importance of trees. Spearheaded by community leader Sally Cohn, a small group of dedicated volunteers helped plan Arbor Day activities throughout the month.

The activities culminated with the opening of the Centennial Greenway Shaw Park with the Olive Boulevard Trail developed by the Great Rivers Greenway District.  The bike and pedestrian trail is part of a planned 20-mile project that is expected to eventually stretch from Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri, to the upper Mississippi River in St. Charles County. The district’s mission is to make the region a better place to live by making it clean, green, and connected.

Use these links for more information on Clayton’s forestry program:

Tree Policy and Procedures

Tree Planting Brochure

Awards