Cape Coral Earns 2025 Tree City USA Designation, Growth Award
February 27, 2026
The Arbor Day Foundation designated Cape Coral as a 2025 Tree City USA community and awarded the City its eighth consecutive Growth Award for its commitment to effective urban forest management.
This marks the 34th year Cape Coral has achieved the Tree City USA designation by meeting the program's four requirements:
- Maintaining a tree board or department
- Having a tree care ordinance
- Dedicating an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita
- Hosting an Arbor Day observance and proclamation
Cape Coral earned the Growth Award for demonstrating environmental improvement and a higher level of tree care. This includes major milestones and annual activities in five categories:
- Building a team
- Measuring trees and forests
- Planning the work
- Performing the work
- Building the community framework
In 2025, the City planted more than 4,000 trees in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, United States Department of Agriculture, Future Forestry, Keep Lee County Beautiful, and LCEC.
“Earning this recognition year after year shows how deeply our City cares about its trees and green spaces,” said City Arborist Omar Leon. “Every tree we plant is a promise to the future for cleaner air, cooler neighborhoods, and a healthier environment. I encourage all of our residents to join us in this promise by planting trees at home—because every tree truly makes a difference. Together, we can continue growing a resilient urban forest that benefits our community for years to come."
Visit CapeCoral.gov/GoNative to learn about Florida-Friendly landscaping, native plant sales, and upcoming classes and workshops where you can learn more and get hands-on ideas for your own property.