On November 6, 2023, the South Carolina Forestry Commission presented the City of North Myrtle Beach with their 18 years of Tree City USA status.
Tree City USA is a program that provides communities with a four-step framework to maintain and grow their tree cover. It also gives them an avenue to celebrate their work, showing residents, visitors, and the entire country that they’re committed to the mission of environmental change. The four-step framework includes maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and celebrating Arbor Day. Tree City USA began in 1976 and is one of the Arbor Day Foundation’s oldest programs.
The North Myrtle Beach Tree Board was established in 2005 to manage public trees, with special concern for heritage trees (24” diameter or greater) and to advise the city in all tree-related matters. Since 2006, the city has been awarded the status of Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The board remains very active in fulfilling the requirements of the Tree City USA program by hosting an annual Arbor Day celebration, recognizing Earth Day, and holding various tree-related events throughout the year.