Warren named Tree City, USA, for 26 years Published June 17, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Jason Wiese 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo -- The central U.S. comprises states that make up the Great Plains. This conjures mental images of gently rolling hills and seas of grass as far as the eye can see. In stark contrast to this assumption of treelessness, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., has been named an Arbor Day Foundation Tree City, USA, for 26 years as of June 13. Dan Perko, Wyoming State Forestry Division deputy state forester, visited F.E. Warren to recognize the base for its commitment to tree care and expansion. To commemorate the event, Balfour Beatty Communities and the 90th Civil Engineer Squadron teamed up to plant a tree alongside Randall Avenue near Atlas West housing and installed a plaque near it. Four criteria must be met for a community to be called a Tree City, USA; they must have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. F.E. Warren meets all of these standards. At the event, Col. Tracey Hayes, 90th Missile Wing commander, read a proclamation explaining the importance of trees and F.E. Warren's dedication to support their propagation, which satisfied the proclamation criterion. Also, the Mighty Ninety spends more than $100 per capita on tree care, Perko said. "They say the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago," he said. It is important to plant trees today so they will have grown and can benefit future generations, he said.