SHADE TREES
Anywhere Within Harrisburg Corporate City Limits

The Department of Parks and Recreation is responsible for the maintenance of more than 50,000 shade trees throughout the City of Harrisburg. Due to the vast number of trees growing in our very "green" city the department has developed guidelines and procedures for the planting, trimming and removal of trees within Harrisburg’s Corporate City Limits.

City Shade Tree Guidelines

• Trees may be planted anywhere on a property by the property owner and do not need a city permit.
  
• Street Trees may be planted between sidewalks and street curbs by the property owner after, but require a city permit to do so. Ordinance 8 of 2003. (see below)
  
• Tree trimming: tree limbs that are a danger to property, street or pedestrian traffic may be trimmed as follows:
  
  • The Department of Parks & Recreation Parks Maintenance Bureau will evaluate the need to have the tree trimmed and either issue a permit to the property owner to do so, or place it on the City trimming list. (see below)
    
  • PPL Energy (if they are a danger to power lines) call PPL Energy at 1-800-342-5775.
    
• Removal of trees that have died or for other reasons need to be removed, located anywhere on private property (including rental units and empty lots) are the responsibility of the property owner and do not require a permit.
  
• Removal of Street Trees that have died or for other reasons may need to be removed, which are located between sidewalks and street curbs, are the responsibility of the property owner and require a permit to do so. Ordinance 8 of 2003. (see below)
  

Permits and Procedures For Tree Trimming, Planting and Removal
You may trim a Street Tree, located between sidewalks and street curbs, yourself by obtaining a permit from the Department of Parks and Recreation to do so, for a fee of $5.00.

To request the City to trim the tree, call the Department of Parks and Recreation at 717-255-3020 to have your name placed on the tree list. Have available: Your name, your daytime phone number, address of the tree, and the problem with the tree. If you want the tree to be trimmed, we will put you on a list and a City crew will trim the tree in the order the tree was put on the list.

Street Tree Removal Procedure: Our Parks Maintenance Director will inspect the tree to determine if the tree needs to be removed. Trees will only be approved for removal for the following reasons:

1. Dead, dying or diseased.
   
2. Hitting the foundation of a property.
   
3. Lifting up the sidewalk creating a tripping hazard
   
4. Is impacting on underground utilities leading to a property.
   

If your tree is approved for removal you will be notified by certified letter and you will be asked to pick up a tree removal notice for a fee of $5.00. A list of tree removal companies is available at the department office.

Street Tree Planting Procedure: If you want to plant a tree between the sidewalk and the curb, you are required to contact Pennsylvania One Call System, Inc. at 1-800-242-1776 or visit www.paonecall.org. You will receive a ticket number indicating that you have made the call and that the area will be marked by utilities. Once cleared by PA One, our Parks Maintenance Director will visit the planting site to determine if it is appropriate to plant a tree in your desired location. The Department of Parks & Recreation can provide a list of approved street trees. A tree planting permit for $5.00 is required before planting the tree.

Please note: Just because a species is included on the Department tree list, does not mean that it will do well in your neighborhood.

• Click here for the complete list of trees approved for City planting.
  
• Learn all about trees and planting at the Arbor Day Foundation's website!