SHADE TREES
Anywhere Within Harrisburg Corporate City Limits

The Department of Parks, Recreation & Enrichment 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. (click here for Shade Tree - Ordinance 8)
  
• Tree trimming: tree limbs that are a danger to property, street or pedestrian traffic may be trimmed as follows:
  
  • The Department of Parks, Recreation & Enrichment 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 if you are an owner/ occupant 65 years of age or older. (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.
  

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, Recreation & Enrichment to do so, for a fee of $5.00.

If you are an owner/ occupant 65 years of age or older and want to request the City to trim a tree, call the Department of Parks, Recreation & Enrichment at 717-255-3020 to report the tree location. The City will require your name, address, daytime phone number, location of the tree, and problem associated with the tree. If the tree is confirmed a danger and you meet the Ordinance criteria, your report will be attended to in the order in which it was received.

Street Tree Removal Procedure: In response to a report of a tree meeting any of the below listed criteria or during a routine street tree inspection, the Parks Maintenance Director will determine the necessity to remove the tree. 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.
   

All expenses for removing a tree are the responsibility of the property owner.

If a tree is approved for removal, you will be notified by certified mail. You will then be able to obtain a tree removal permit for a $5.00 fee from the Department of Parks, Recreation & Enrichment's downtown office. A list of tree removal companies is also available.

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 Call, the Parks Maintenance Director will inspect the planting site to determine if it is appropriate to plant a tree in your desired location.

Not all types of trees are suitable to be planted as "street Trees." A list of approved "street trees" is available from the Department of Parks, Recreation & Enrichment. A $5.00 Tree Planting Permit is required before planting the tree.

Please note: Tree species should be selected with regard to the width of the sidewalks and streets in your neighborhood and the ultimate size of a mature tree.

If you have question, the Parks Maintenance Director will be glad to help you determine what species of tree will be best for your neighborhood. Call 717-255-3020.

• 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!