St. Charles: Proud to be a Tree City USA

Published on August 28, 2025

By Suzi Myers, City of St. Charles Natural Resources Commission

St. Charles became a Tree City in 1998 and has successfully kept that designation ever since. Former City Alderman, Peter Grathoff, was concerned that the area’s tree canopy was disappearing, so he organized the St. Charles Tree Commission and the City’s first Arbor Day celebration, which included a tree planting in memory of John Deutsch, a Public Works employee that had been killed in an accident while on the job.

Since then, St. Charles has been a Tree City community maintaining its designation through an annual application and renewal process with the Arbor Day Foundation.

The requirements to be a Tree City are:

• A City Tree Board or Department. The City of St. Charles Natural Resources Commission (formerly the Tree Commission) meets the second Tuesday of the month.
• A public tree care ordinance with clear guidance regarding the City’s public trees (parkway trees). St. Charles Municipal Code 12.20 provides for the protection, safety and general welfare of the community by regulating planting, maintenance and removal of trees and shrubs within the City.
• An annual expenditure of $2 per capita on public trees. This amount is budgeted by Public Works annually.
• An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation signed by the Mayor. The City’s Arbor Day celebration is held on the last Friday in April and includes an annual tree planting and Proclamation. The 2025 celebration was held at Anderson Elementary School where a Common PawPaw Tree (Asimina triloba) was planted.

We are very proud to be a Tree City, keeping our trees and the environment a priority here in St. Charles.