Wrexham awarded ‘2024 Tree City of the World’ for a third, successive year with recognition from The Arbor Day Foundation, Food and Agriculture Organization.
On the 4th March 2025, The Arbor Day Foundation has once again named Wrexham as a ‘2024 Tree City World’ in honour of its continued commitment to plant, grow, and maintain trees to benefit the City and surrounding communities.
This is now the third year in a row in which Wrexham has been honoured with this prestigious global award, acknowledging the hard work and dedicated commitment of staff and volunteers in their continuing effort to maintain, protect and enhance trees and overall canopy cover across urban and rural communities within the County Borough.
The Arbor Day Foundation is a United States-based global nonprofit organisation with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. Its network of more than a million supporters and partners has helped the organisation plant more than 500 million trees in forests and communities across more than 60 countries since 1972. The international Tree Cities of the World programme recognizes cities and towns that leverage urban forestry to enhance the livability and sustainability of their local area.
“Across borders, trees bring people together. No matter what country we live in or what language we speak, we can all benefit from the positive power of trees,” said Michelle Saulnier, Vice President of Programs at the Arbor Day Foundation. “We’re proud that Wrexham continues to be among the Arbor Day Foundation’s global network of tree champions planting towards a better future.”
In cities and neighborhoods, trees are proven to help mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduce storm-water runoff and flooding, improve air quality, and boost mental and physical health. When the right trees are planted in the right places, they can also reduce traffic noise, increase property values, reduce anti-social behavior, encourage investment and lower energy costs for homeowners.
Correct, pro-active management of trees and their valued role within a connected green infrastructure network can assist in combatting both climate change and declining levels of biodiversity.
Cllr Nigel Williams, Lead Member for Economy said, “We are delighted that, once again, the city of Wrexham has been recognized as a Tree City of the World and we are proud to re-affirm our standing within a global network of towns and cities dedicated to protecting and enhancing their tree stock and promoting the values of trees, through community engagement and good asset management.
“Our tree planting schemes throughout this previous autumn and winter have seen over 5,600 trees planted throughout the county and within our city centre. With the valued assistance of local volunteers, we have planted a variety of tree species from native broadleaved whips to large standard trees. This award acknowledges our commitment to continue establishing an increased canopy cover across Wrexham to 20%. “Our commitment to trees has also been acknowledged by judges as part of our successful Gold award entries into Wales and Britain in bloom last year.”
Cllr Terry Evans, Lead Member for Environment Services, said, “Receiving the title of Tree City of The world for a third year in succession is once again, recognition for the repeated hard work and efforts of council staff and the vital contribution of members of the public in various communities, over the last twelve months, to plant and manage the trees which prove so vital for our health and well-being and for our local economy.
“As a council, we again gratefully accept this wonderful, prestigious recognition and we will continue in our commitment to the planting, protection and enhancement of individual trees and woodlands which collectively create Wrexham’s urban forest. “
To earn Tree Cities of the World recognition, a city must uphold five core standards: establish responsibility for the care of trees; enact a law or policy that governs the management of trees and woodlands; maintain an updated assessment of local tree resources; allocate sufficient resources for a pro-active tree management regime; and hold annual celebrations of trees to raise their profile and values and to encourage the involvement of local businesses and residents.
The Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Cities of the World program is operated in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations. The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.
