Celebrate Arbor Day: Mapping A City's Memory of Trees with the Austin Tree of the Year Awards

In honor of National Arbor Day (the last Friday in April), Austin Parks and Recreation and TreeFolks invite the community to highlight their favorite city trees by nominating them for the Austin Tree of the Year Awards. The annual program is an initiative between the City of Austin and TreeFolks to engage community members in celebrating urban forestry through personal connection to trees. 

Austinites can 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 kick off on National Arbor Day, April 24, 2026, and run through July 24, 2026. The fun doesn’t stop there! Voting for Austin’s best trees across the five categories will take place between August 4 and October 27, 2026, followed by an official awards ceremony during the first weekend of November to honor Texas Arbor Day. 

The Tree of the Year Awards aim to raise awareness of native tree species and their benefits to city life, while also capturing the fabric of the city's history through storytelling centered around trees. By encouraging the public to share their personal connections to trees, TreeFolks seeks to cultivate a greater appreciation for the trees in the Austin metro area and promote long-term care for Austin's urban forest. Sharing stories of trees that have brought people a sense of peace, placehood, and purpose deepens our understanding of trees as vital elements of city life.

Dedicated support from Austin Parks and Recreation and from the Still Water Foundation has helped continue and grow the program, with nomination and voter rates significantly growing. Participation from local partners such as Waterloo Greenway, St. Edwards Sustainability Department, The Contemporary at Laguna Gloria, and more has also contributed to the program's growing popularity. Community members can learn more by visiting www.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.