Annual Arbor Day Poster Contest

This year Massachusetts third, fourth, and fifth graders can participate in the Arbor Day Poster Contest. Each school holds its own poster contest and submits their winning poster to the DCR. Prizes include art supplies, ice cream, and a tree for the winner’s school.

Every year there is a theme to encourage students to think about trees in new ways, such as

• Trees Around the World (2025)
• Healthy Trees, Healthy Towns (2024)
• It’s Time for Trees (2023)
• Be a Cool Community, Plant Trees! (2022)
• Trees Please (2020)
• My Community, My Trees (2018)
• Trees are Terrific…from Berkshires to Bay! (2017)
• Trees Grow with Us and for Us (2016)
• Trees are Champions in My Community (2015)

The theme for 2026 is "If Trees Could Talk".

The deadline for the 2025 contest is March 15, 2026.

Dear Educator,

You are invited to join third, fourth, and fifth-grade teachers across Massachusetts in the 2026 Arbor Day Poster Contest sponsored by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Massachusetts Tree Wardens’ and Foresters’ Association. This year’s theme, “If Trees Could Talk” is intended to increase students’ understanding of trees and the importance of trees in our communities.

Trees can be found in so many parts of our daily lives. Whether we are in a city or small community, the urban and community forest is so ubiquitous that we often don’t stop to think that we are actually part of a forest community and have a complex relationship with its ecosystem. Increasing students’ understanding of their relationship with the urban forest and the trees around them is an important step toward appreciation of trees and of the environmental benefits they provide.

For participation in the contest, the use of part or all the activities in this guide is encouraged, but not mandatory. You may adapt, alter, or supplement these activities to meet the needs of your students. Contest rules can be found here: Poster Contest Rules. The DCR can accept one poster from each eligible grade (3rd, 4th, and 5th) per school.  Not every eligible grade needs to participate in each school. Home schooled or non-participating school students may submit their posters and enter the contest individually. Make sure your school’s poster is signed with the student’s first name and last initial and that the school winner report form (page 6) is completed and affixed to the back.

Discovering Community Trees

• Student Learning Objectives
  • 3^rd Grade: Identify and discuss benefits of trees.
  • 4^th Grade: Identify how trees have internal and external structures that support their survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
  • 5^th Grade: Estimate the economic value of urban trees to individuals and to a community. Describe several ways trees enhance human environments and natural ecosystems.
• Basic Activities
  • Online and Printed activities are available from Arbor Day Foundation.                     
• Extension Activity
  • Students select one or more trees to measure and calculate benefits using MyTree.
  • View how to measure a tree’s diameter here: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/trees/article/424017

Create a Poster:

• Student Learning Objective:
  • Students create a poster that reflects their understanding of trees and the importance of trees in urban and community forests.
• Activity:
  • Ask each student to create a poster around the theme “If Trees Could Talk” that reflects their understanding of trees and the importance of trees in urban and community forests.
  • The poster may relate to the theme of trees in our communities and how they protect (and are a part of) our natural resources. Students are encouraged to be creative with the theme. The theme is intended to invite a variety of interpretations related to the importance of trees in our neighborhoods. If you have other lessons related to trees that you would like to use, please feel free to do so.
  • Project Learning Tree is another source for lesson plan ideas.

1. Create a Poster

Ask each student to create a poster around the theme “If Trees Could Talk” that reflects their understanding of trees and the importance of trees in communities.

Students should follow the poster contest rules by using the checklist.

2. Hold a School Poster Contest

You may select the winner or have a judging panel for the classroom and school contest. The contest may be in person or online. Judges could include other students, garden club members, tree board members, nursery personnel, arborists, the tree warden, teachers, PTA members, or individuals with an interest in trees who are willing to volunteer. Home-schooled and non-participating school students may submit their posters individually.

3. Submit your Winning Poster to DCR

Submit your winning poster(s) to DCR postmarked on or by March 15, 2026.

The DCR can accept one poster from each eligible grade (3rd, 4th, and 5th) per school. Not every eligible grade needs to participate in each school.

Overall Contest First Place Winner:

• A tree is planted on the grounds of the winner’s school
  • Art & science supplies and many other prizes

Overall Contest Second and Third Place Winners and First Place Winners for 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th Grades:

• Recognition Award
  • Art & science supplies and many other prizes

Use this checklist to make certain all entries are eligible for judging. Entries not meeting these guidelines may be disqualified.

1. All entries must be original artwork created by an individual student who is currently in the third, fourth, or fifth grade. A student may enter the contest only once.
2. The student’s first name and last initial must be written in the lower right-hand corner on the front of the poster. Do not include the last name on the front of the poster.
3. CONTENT: The poster must be related to the contest theme in some way. The theme “If Trees Could Talk” must be on the poster. All words must be spelled correctly and be written clearly.
4. ENTRY MEDIA
   1. Entries may be done in marker, crayon, paint pens, watercolor, ink, acrylic, colored pencil, and/or tempera paint.
   2. Collages are not acceptable. (Do not glue anything on your poster.)
   3. Computer or photo-generated art and/or printing is not acceptable.
   4. Entries should not display the names of commercial products, companies, or organizations.
5. SIZE: Entries must be no smaller than 8.5 x 11” and no larger than 14 x 18.” Over-sized or under-sized submissions will not be accepted.
6. PAPER: Entries must be done on paper that will allow for duplication and display.
7. Entries should not be matted, mounted, laminated, framed, or folded.
8. Submit your school’s entry by March 15, 2026 (postmark date) to DCR’s Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator, Julie Coop. Affix School Winner Report Form to the back of the school’s winning poster. 

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service

Massachusetts Tree Wardens’ and Foresters’ Association