Towns named 'tree cities'

San Jon and Tucumcari each recently were named a 2018 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.

San Jon (population 206) is the smallest town in New Mexico to receive the designation.

The towns received the Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

According to the Arbor Day Foundation, trees help improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants and provide wildlife habitat.

Other Tree City USA towns in New Mexico are Albuquerque, Carlsbad, Cannon Air Force Base, Corrales, Las Vegas, Red River, Roswell and Taos.