Hill AFB earns Tree City USA designation for 25th year

For the 25th year in a row, Hill Air Force Base has been named a Tree City USA for its commitment in keeping the base green with trees. On its 6,600-plus acres, Hill AFB has more than 13,000 trees of more than 100 different species, valued in the millions of dollars. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs)

Hill AFB earns Tree City USA designation for 25th year

Published June 8, 2018
75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- For the 25th year in a row, Hill Air Force Base has been named a Tree City USA for its commitment in keeping the base green with trees.

Hill achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the Arbor Day Foundation’s requirements for managing its urban forest.

On its 6,600-plus acres, Hill AFB has more than 13,000 trees of more than 100 different species, valued in the millions of dollars.

The 75th Civil Engineer Group’s Environmental Branch set up a database several years ago to track and manage the base’s trees to include them in GeoBase, a mapping system that includes information about the base’s structures, streets, etc.

According to Hill’s tree database:

• The base’s oldest tree — a 95-year-old Siberian Elm — has a diameter of more than 50 inches and is located on the north side of the base in the Maintenance Activity Management System -II (MAMS II) area.

• The largest diameter tree — a rare Japanese Pagoda, (the most valuable tree on Hill at more than $42,000) — has a diameter of more than 60 inches and is located north of the parking lot on Sixth Street and Southgate Drive.

• The base’s tallest tree — a Box Elder, which is more than 90 feet tall and is also located in the MAMS II area.