The Arbor Day Foundation has named the City of Winder a 2025 Tree City USA in recognition of the city’s commitment to planting, maintaining, and celebrating trees as part of a healthy and sustainable community.

The Tree City USA program, now in its 50th year, recognizes communities that prioritize sound urban forestry practices. Winder’s 2025 designation marks the city’s first Tree City USA recognition since 1992.

To qualify for Tree City USA status, a city must meet four core standards:

• Maintain a tree board or department responsible for public trees. In Winder, the Public Works Department oversees operations involving trees in rights-of-way, parks, and public spaces.
• Have a public tree care ordinance. Winder adopted its current ordinance in October 2024 to guide the proper care, establishment, conservation, and maintenance of community trees.
• Spend at least $2 per capita annually on community tree care. Public Works met this requirement through investments in planting, pruning, removal, mulching, and debris management.
• Hold an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. On May 6, 2025, Mayor Jimmy Terrell signed a proclamation recognizing May 8, 2025, as Arbor Day in the City of Winder. Public Works planted three trees on May 9, 2025, in the open space at the corner of West Kimball Street and North Center Street.

In cities and neighborhoods, trees help mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduce stormwater runoff, improve air quality, and contribute to physical and mental well-being. Strategic tree placement can also enhance property values, reduce traffic noise, and lower energy costs.

Georgia Arbor Week, observed Feb. 15–21, provides an opportunity to reflect on the role trees play in supporting healthy, vibrant communities. As Winder continues to grow and invest in infrastructure, housing, and economic development, the city remains focused on balancing responsible development with preservation and enhancement of its urban canopy.

Recent improvements in public spaces, including enhancements near Kimball Street and Center Street, reflect an ongoing approach to integrating trees and green space into active areas of the city. These efforts are part of a broader commitment to maintaining a community that is both economically strong and environmentally responsible.

“We appreciate the continued work of our Public Works and Planning & Development departments to further this balanced approach and encourage residents to join us in recognizing the part we all play a part in shaping Winder’s future,” said City Administrator Jonathan Lynn.

The Tree City USA program is operated by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.