The National Arbor Day Foundation has awarded the Village of East Aurora the "Tree City USA" designation each year since 1998. The award recognizes a municipality's commitment to developing and maintaining its "urban forest."

The "Tree City USA" program of the National Arbor Day Foundation is co-sponsored by the National Association of State Foresters and the United States Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. It is also endorsed and promoted by the National League of Cities and the U. S. Conference of Mayors.

The program was started in Nebraska in 1874 by pioneers who longed for the trees of their former homes. It subsequently spread throughout the States and into some foreign countries. Currently, 87 municipalities in New York State have qualified, and of these, 43 have populations less than 10,000, as in East Aurora. Cities and Villages in this area with 20 or more years in the program are Ellicottville, Jamestown and Rochester. Buffalo has qualified for 16 years.

• An active Tree Board or Department of the municipality, legally responsible for the care of the community's trees.
• A community tree ordinance, setting policy.
• A community forestry program with a budget of at least $2 per capita.
• An Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

Tree City USA applications must be renewed annually and submitted to the regional state forester for approval.