BROOKHAVEN — It might come as a surprise that Brookhaven is not listed as one of the 19 communities in Mississippi as a Tree City in 2023. The communities were recognized by the national program Tree City USA in a press release Monday.

Did you know, 14.79 percent of Mississippians live in a Tree City USA Community. Recertification rates for the program are 86.36 percent. The longest running active Tree City USA community in Mississippi was Laurel for the past 41 years. 

Nearly $3,471,616 was spent on urban forestry management with an average of $7.93 per capita in 2023. The reported number of trees planted for the year was 1,361. 

Brookhaven is not on the active list of Tree City USA communities. The program is part of the Arbor Day Foundation. Cities must meet four program standards to become a Tree City USA community. 

They first need a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita, an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. According to the Mississippi Forestry Commission, applications must be submitted annually to maintain Tree City USA status. The program has been used in Mississippi to start urban and community forestry programs.