In honor of National Arbor Day, Austin Parks and Recreation in partnership with TreeFolks are launching nominations for the Austin Tree of the Year Awards. This annual program highlights remarkable trees in the Austin area and encourages community participation. Austinites are invited to nominate and vote for their favorite tree in the following five categories: Small Tree, Large Tree, Story Tree, Unique Tree, and Schoolyard Tree. The nomination period will be open from April 25, 2025, National Arbor Day, until November 7, 2025, which is Texas Arbor Day.

The Tree of the Year Awards aim to raise awareness about the valuable benefits of trees, such as carbon sequestration, air purification, and heat mitigation. By encouraging the public to nominate and vote for their favorite trees, TreeFolks seeks to educate people about these benefits in a fun and interactive way. The initiative fosters a deeper understanding of tree characteristics and promotes a heartfelt connection to the beauty of Austin’s natural environment.

The program, originally created in March 2007 and running until 2013, made a triumphant return in 2022 with support from the Still Water Foundation. Now, in 2025, Austin Parks and Recreation and Treefolks are excited to host another year of awards. Following the nomination period, community members will proudly cast their votes for their favorite tree in each category. The program concludes in an Awards Ceremony and a Bike Tour led by the TreeFolks Young Professionals, who volunteer, educate, fundraise, and build community in support of TreeFolks' inspiring mission: to plant, care for, and give people free trees to plant! 

For more information, visit austintreeoftheyearawards.org.

About TreeFolks
TreeFolks is a nonprofit organization committed to creating healthy, thriving urban forests in Central Texas. Through tree planting, conservation, and education initiatives, TreeFolks enhances the natural environment, benefiting both the community and future generations.