FARMINGTON – Farmington has been recognized for being a Tree City USA community for 30 years. The first of two signs noting that fact was installed Monday on Route 2 East. The second will probably be placed on the west side of town on routes 2 and 4.

Farmington is one of three communities in Maine to reach the 30-year level. Kennebunkport and Westbrook have duplicated the accomplishment.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

The program provides direction, technical assistance and public attention to community forestry programs. To qualify a community needs to meet four requirements including having a tree board or department, having a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program with an annual budget and an Arbor Day observance or proclamation, according to the program’s Web site.

Bobbie Hanstein, chairman of the town’s Conservation Commission, said her involvement over the past 15 years has included tree planting around the greater Farmington area. Much of the initial work, she said, revolved around setting up the committee and then the commission worked on the recycling ordinance.