Royal Oak - the City of Trees

While many residents are unaware of the city's nickname, Royal Oak is often called the City of Tree because of its large array of flora around its city limits. Early Royal Oak residents describe the several maple, elm, hickory, beech, oak, black walnut and other various trees in the area. In 1936, the City of Tree committees joined together to study various trees that should be planted amongst the town. Two years later, the same committee received 60 acorns from royal oak trees in England and planted them at the Detroit Zoo. After a few years, some of the trees were moved to Memorial Park.

Since then the town has offered a tree-planting programs for nearly 20 years. This allows trees that are diseased to be replaced. This dedication to nature within the city has had Royal Oak receiving the Tree City USA award yearly since 1976.

http://www.ci.royal-oak.mi.us/portal/general-information/about-royal-oak