Wheaton has held its Tree City USA designation for 40 consecutive years, a milestone that places the city among the longest-tenured participants in a national program now half a century old.
The National Arbor Day Foundation confirmed the recognition for program year 2025, according to the city's official announcement. Wheaton first earned the designation in 1986, meaning it has qualified for 80% of the program's existence since its 1976 founding.
To keep the title each year, a community must meet four standards set by the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters: maintain a tree board or department, enforce a public tree care ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita annually on community tree care and hold an Arbor Day observance with an official proclamation.
Wheaton's Public Works Forestry Division handles those requirements year-round. Residents with questions about the city's urban forestry work can reach the division at 630-260-2122.
The city marked Arbor Day 2026 by planting a white oak tree at Lincoln Elementary School with help from students in Community Unit School District 200. Mayor Suess and Superintendent Schuler joined the Forestry Division crew for the planting, according to a city Facebook post.
Wheaton also planted 250 parkway trees in 2026 in honor of the United States' 250th anniversary.
Nationally, 3,636 communities hold the Tree City USA designation, and 49% of the U.S. population lives in one, according to the Arbor Day Foundation's program page.
Area events
- Wheaton French Market: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pavilion near Liberty Drive and Main Street
- Downtown Wheaton Summer Wine Walk: Thursday, Aug. 20; $35 general admission, $50 VIP; more than 17 stops with wine samples and food tastings
- Arena Theater Shakespeare in the Park, 'Romeo and Juliet': Aug. 27, 28 and 29 at 6:45 p.m., 208 W. Union Ave., Wheaton
- Books on Tap Book Club: Monday, Aug. 31, 7 p.m., Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, 28256 Diehl Road, Warrenville
