Hillsboro's tree-hugging habits have once again snagged the city some serious green cred. For the sixth consecutive year, this Portland suburb has earned the title of Tree City USA, and that's not all – they've also bagged a third Tree City USA Growth Award for their sustainable forestry efforts. Lori Prince, Hillsboro's Outdoor Recreation Manager, was quick to highlight trees' multifaceted benefits to the community, noting, "They promote ecological benefits like cleaner air and water, but they also have economic and social benefits like raising property values and inspiring joy," as reported by the City of Hillsboro.

Last year, the eco-friendly citizens of Hillsboro went to town to dramatically improve their leafy skyline, planting a standout 142 large trees in parks and public locales. They didn't stop there though, adding a whopping 10,344 saplings and bare-root trees to the mix across riparian zones, wetlands, and other natural areas. Even with all that planting, money still grew on (or for) trees as the city invested north of $622,000 in the care of its public greenery – a total averaging out to about $5.87 per person living in Hillsboro, according to the Hillsboro Oregon.

The city's financial dedication to its urban forestry is noteworthy, especially when you compare it to the national qualification standard. It's like they say – you've got to spend green to keep green. Hillsboro's heavy lifting when it comes to nurturing its urban forest is more than just meeting the minimum $2 per capita Tree City USA requirement. They're investing triple the dough to ensure their trees are more than just a pretty sight, but living, breathing assets to Hillsboro's urban landscape and its residents' quality of life.