Austin Tree of the Year Awards: Honoring the City’s Most Remarkable Trees

Originally launched in March 2007 and running until 2013, the Austin Tree of the Year Awards made a triumphant return in 2022, thanks to support from the Still Water Foundation. Now, in 2025, Austin Parks and Recreation and TreeFolks are thrilled to continue the tradition.

Gary Emmert
1–2 minutes

In celebration of National Arbor Day, Austin Parks and Recreation, in partnership with TreeFolks, is launching nominations for the Austin Tree of the Year Awards—an annual program that recognizes the city’s most exceptional trees while fostering community engagement and environmental awareness.

Starting April 25, 2025 (National Arbor Day) and running through November 7, 2025 (Texas Arbor Day), Austinites are encouraged to nominate and vote for their favorite trees across five unique categories:

  • Small Tree – Mighty trees with a modest footprint.
  • Large Tree – Towering giants that define Austin’s landscape.
  • Story Tree – Trees with significant historical or cultural importance.
  • Unique Tree – Trees that stand out for distinctive features.
  • Schoolyard Tree – Trees that enhance learning environments.

Beyond celebrating Austin’s most cherished trees, the Tree of the Year Awards aim to raise awareness about their environmental impact, including:

  • Carbon sequestration – Absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere.
  • Air purification – Filtering pollutants for cleaner air.
  • Heat mitigation – Providing cooling shade in Austin’s hot climate.

By engaging in this fun, interactive nomination process, residents can develop a deeper appreciation for the trees that shape the city’s natural environment.

Originally launched in March 2007 and running until 2013, the Austin Tree of the Year Awards made a triumphant return in 2022, thanks to support from the Still Water Foundation. Now, in 2025, Austin Parks and Recreation and TreeFolks are thrilled to continue the tradition.

Following the nomination period, community members will cast their final votes, leading up to an Awards Ceremony and a Bike Tour led by the TreeFolks Young Professionals—a volunteer group committed to education, fundraising, and community-building in support of TreeFolks’ mission:

To plant, care for, and provide free trees for Austin residents.

Austinites can begin nominating their favorite trees and participate in voting throughout the campaign. To learn more, visit AustinTreeOfTheYearAwards.org.

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