10 North 2nd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 255-3040
Park & Tree Maintenance
About Parks Maintenance
The Bureau of Parks Maintenance maintains the grounds of all City-owned and operated parks and playgrounds including over 530 acres of parkland, grounds adjacent to occupied buildings, and 15 miles of right-of-way containing over 2,500 street trees. Our City Arborist also works with the Parks Maintenance team to remove, prune, and plant trees throughout the parks and around the city.
The work performed by the Bureau includes routine and preventative maintenance, as well as repairs and special projects. Staff performs site repair, turf, and grounds preservation, support of Parks and Recreation programs, limited construction, and coordination for volunteer and youth work groups. Work is prioritized to address safety and high community use areas. Support is also provided to the Bureau of Parks and Recreation on an as-needed basis.
The Shade Tree Program
The City of Harrisburg’s Shade Tree Program is managed by the Department of Parks, Recreation & Facilities. The City has jurisdiction over the trees planted along streets and in public parks. It does not regulate trees growing elsewhere on private property.A Tree Permit is required for planting, pruning, or removing street trees. The first step is to request a street tree inspection. The City Forester, a Certified Arborist, will visit the property to assess the condition of the tree and determine what work is needed. Provide the information requested electronically on the Tree Inspection Request form and Permit Form (preferred) or call the office at (717) 232-3017 and provide the information by phone.
| Tree Permit Form | Tree Inspection Request |
Financial Assistance
In an effort to assist with street tree pruning and removal costs, the City currently offers programs to property owners who are seniors or who meet low-income criteria. These programs are available ONLY FOR STREET TREES ON PROPERTIES OWNED AND OCCUPIED by residents who meet the established criteria for participation. Both programs are intended to remove dead and dangerous trees, dead limbs, and limbs that interfere with traffic devices.Senior Tree Program
For property owners aged 65 and older, the City maintains a limited fund for street tree pruning and removal approved by the City Forester. To apply, simply complete a Tree Inspection and Permit Request form and select “Senior Property Owner” as the individual requesting the inspection. The City Forester will inspect the tree and determine the work needed, and the report will be returned to the applicant.To proceed, the applicant then submit proof of age to the City Parks Department. The work will then be scheduled for completion under City contract at no cost to the property owner, as funds are available. The property owner will be notified at least a week in advance when the work is to be done.
PLEASE NOTE: Trees eligible for consideration MUST be street trees and MUST be on the owner-occupied property of the senior applying for assistance. Trees located elsewhere on the property are not eligible for this funding, nor are street trees on a property owned by a neighbor of a senior.
Low-Income Assistance Program
This program is available, with limited funding, to assist low-income property owners. The assistance is for the removal of dead or dying street trees, or for street tree pruning in certain situations (i.e. to remove dead limbs, remove limbs that are interfering with traffic safety devices or streetlights). Property owners with a household income at or below established thresholds, or that are otherwise approved by the Parks Department, are eligible. To apply:- Check your most recent IRS Form 1040 US Individual Income Tax Return to verify that the adjusted gross income of your household (line 8 b) is within the income limits below*.
| HOUSEHOLD FAMILY SIZE | ANNUAL ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME | MONTHLY ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME |
| 1 | $31,900 | $2,658 |
| 2 | $43,100 | $3,592 |
| 3 | $54,300 | $4,525 |
| 4 | $65,500 | $5,458 |
| 5 | $76,700 | $6,392 |
| 6 | $87,900 | $7,325 |
| 7 | $99,100 | $8,258 |
| 8 | $110,300 | $9,192 |
| 9 | $121,500 | $10,125 |
| 10 | $132,700 | $11,058 |
- Complete a Tree Inspection and Permit Request form available at https://harrisburgpa.gov/trees/, and select “Low-Income Property Owner” as the individual requesting the inspection.
- Provide a copy of your most recent IRS Form 1040 to the Parks Department. BE SURE TO BLACK OUT SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS. Send via email or US Mail.
- Via email – Title the email “Low-Income Tree Assistance.” Write the property owner’s name, address, and phone number in the body of the email and attach the form. Email to [email protected]
- Via US Mail – Write the property owner’s name and phone at the top of the form. Mail to:
- If current household income is less than that reported on your most recent tax return, please provide paperwork that explains the reduced income.
- Once income documentation is received, the City Forester will inspect the tree and determine the work needed, and the report will be returned to the applicant. Approved work will then be scheduled for completion under the City contract at no cost to the property owner. The property owner will be notified at least a week in advance when the work is to be done.
Tree canopies reduce the amount and rate at which rain water strikes the ground, thereby reducing erosion and stormwater management costs. They improve air quality by filtering particulates out of the air, absorbing carbon dioxide, and releasing oxygen. Trees reduce noise, provide a contrast to hard concrete and paved surfaces, help connect people to the natural world, and reduce stress. To maximize benefits, trees must remain healthy and vigorous.
Curious to know what benefits a tree near you is providing? Use this handy tool to find out. design.itreetools.org/
Street trees are trees that are in the city’s right-of-way, generally between the sidewalk and curbing of a public street. Street trees are regulated by the City of Harrisburg. However, street trees are owned and must be maintained by the owner of the property on which the street tree is located. Trees growing elsewhere on a property are not regulated by the City. A list of acceptable street trees can be found here.
City and property owner responsibilities regarding trees are stated in the city’s Shade Tree Ordinance.
Although street trees are owned by the person who owns the property, they are regulated by the City. A Tree Permit must be obtained before a street tree may be planted, pruned or removed. No permit is required for tree work elsewhere on private property, but such trees are regulated by the City should they pose a threat to public health, safety, or property.
Provide the information requested on the Tree Inspection & Permit Request form or by phone at (717) 232-3017. Use the same process to report an overgrown or dangerous tree on someone else’s property.
PLEASE NOTE: Tree topping IS NOT an acceptable pruning practice! It causes irreversible damage to trees. The following publications illustrate what topping is and why it is so harmful.
Want to know more about correct tree pruning?
- A free pre-recorded webinar from PSU extension entitled “Pruning Young Trees for Structure and Form” is available at https://extension.psu.edu/pruning-young-trees-for-structure-and-form
- Pruning Landscape Trees
- How to Prune Trees
- Tree Pruning to ANSI Standards
- Pruning for Utility Line Clearance
- Why Hire a Certified Arborist for Tree Pruning
- How to Find a Certified Arborist
If you are not comfortable or able to service a street tree or a tree on private property, a list of tree service companies that service Harrisburg can be found here. for additional City licensed companies, please contact the Tax office at 717-255-6513.
Tree planting and all the costs associated with tree planting and establishment are the responsibility of the property owner, both for trees planted along the street (“street trees”) and for those planted elsewhere on the property. Although a new street tree is owned by the person who owns the property, it is regulated by the City. A Tree Permit must be obtained before a street tree may be planted, pruned or removed. Provide the information requested on the Tree Inspection & Permit Request form or by phone at (717) 232-3017.
A list of trees approved for planting adjacent to the street is available at Street Trees for Harrisburg. Newly planted street trees must measure at least 1.5” in caliper (trunk diameter measured at 6” above the ground) and should be about 9’-12’ in height. Trees require 15 gallons of water each week throughout the first two growing seasons after planting to ensure successful establishment. Grass and weeds should be removed from a 4-foot circle around the tree, and replaced with a 3-inch layer of mulch surrounding but not touching the tree trunk. Mulch helps to control weeds and keeps mowers and string trimmers from damaging the fragile bark.
Learn how to plant a tree here:
Need help selecting a tree for your home, or want more information about a particular tree? These website are very helpful.
Removal of dead, dying, and structurally unsound trees and all the costs associated with tree removal are the responsibility of the property owner, both for trees growing along the street (“street trees”) and for those growing elsewhere on the property. An exception is granted, however, for street trees on owner-occupied properties where the owner is aged 65 or older and on owner-occupied properties of low income residents.The City maintains limited funds with which to assist those owners with street tree pruning and removal needs approved by the City Forester. See “Financial Assistance” for details.
Although street trees are owned by the person who owns the property, they are regulated by the City. A Tree Permit must be obtained before a street tree may be removed. No permit is required for tree work elsewhere on private property, but such trees are regulated by the City should they pose a threat to public health, safety, or property.
Provide the information requested on the Tree Inspection & Permit Request form or by phone at (717) 232-3017. Use the same process to report a dangerous tree on someone else’s property.
Removing trees is dangerous work best left to experts. Tree services operating in the city must be in possession of a Mercantile License. Those currently licensed can be found here.
First, consider the planting space available, and understand that some tree species will grow to be much larger at maturity than others. Measure the size of the tree pit (sidewalk cutout) or planting strip, if there is a grassy strip between the sidewalk and the curb. Most are inadequate to support a large tree without causing significant sidewalk heave.
If the tree pit or planting strip is not greater than 4 feet X 4 feet, it’s best to select only a small maturing tree.
If there are overhead wires, regardless of how large the tree pit is, only small maturing trees that will not grow up to interfere with the powerlines are permissible.
If there are no overhead wires, consider cutting the concrete to enlarge the opening to at least 5 feet by 5 feet (the bigger the better.) Larger maturing trees provide more benefits– shade, air purification, stormwater uptake—and are strongly recommended wherever space permits.
Refer to the list of City approved trees provided under “Tree Planting.” Complete a Tree Inspection and Permit Request form as detailed in Question 1. The City Forester will inspect the site and recommend species that would work for the site.
In cities around the world, researchers have carefully measured the costs involved in planting and caring for trees, against the dollar value of the ecological services trees provide. In every situation, the benefits outweigh the costs many times over.
Trees are the lungs of a city. They take up carbon dioxide and air pollutants and intercept particulate matter on their leaf surfaces. As they cleanse the air we breathe, they simultaneously producing oxygen as they grow. They cool our homes and reduce energy costs. They take up stormwater that would otherwise pollute our waterways. They soften and add beauty to our lives. They calm us.
Trees lift sidewalks because we do not allow them the space they need to grow. If we plan for trees, providing adequate growing space where possible, and selecting more suitable species where it’s not, we can greatly reduce the kinds of sidewalk/tree conflicts we now face.