City Of Concord Seeks Nominations for 2026 Tree Champion Award

CONCORD, NH — The city of Concord is accepting nominations for its next Tree Champion, an award that recognizes businesses or individuals who have made a significant contribution to the city’s tree scape.

The Concord Conservation Commission-Tree Subcommittee and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce are taking nominations through April 17.

According to the city, the award is meant to recognize the role trees play in Concord’s livability.

The trees in Concord, the city said, do more than create an attractive city. They contribute to improved livability by providing cooling shade, wildlife habitat, and air and water quality. The award recognizes outstanding contributions by the business community toward Concord’s tree scape.

Businesses or individuals anywhere in Concord are eligible. Awards will go to businesses or individuals who have made a significant contribution towards education, outreach, or tree planting in the city and/or who demonstrate excellence in planting, care, and maintenance of the trees on their property.

The selection committee will consider several factors. Those include proper mulching and pruning, replacing trees when they are dead or damaged, protecting trees from hazards, new plantings, and maintaining appropriate tree density. The city said the award could apply to a professionally maintained landscape or one “just lovingly cared for by the owner or occupant.”

Possible nominees could include an apartment building, a car dealership, a barbershop, or a shopping center. Individual honorees also may be recognized for contributions involving knowledge, awareness, advocacy, or financial support for Concord’s tree scape.

The city encouraged residents to look across Concord for examples of strong tree care and new tree plantings, including in Penacook, downtown, the Heights, the east and west sides, and south Concord. Residents may nominate themselves or another business or individual.

Past recipients include Jim Milliken from Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial in 2024 and Havenwood Heritage Heights in 2025. Nomination forms are available at www.concordnh.gov/trees and should be submitted to Beth Fenstermacher at bfenstermacher@concordnh.gov by April 17. Questions can be directed to 603-230-3635. The winner will be announced later this spring and recognized during an upcoming event.