Tree Protection in Reading, PA (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Reading, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal Permits
Tree-removal permitting in Reading is administered by the Shade Tree Commission (Bill No. 42, Sept. 12, 1973) through the City Arborist (610-655-6035). A permit is required for removal of any street tree in the public right-of-way and for trees protected as a condition of an approved land-development plan. Routine removal of dead, diseased, or hazardous trees on private property is generally exempt from permitting. The Commission's authority derives from the Pennsylvania Third Class City framework for shade tree commissions.
Reading PA Tree Removal Permits and Shade Tree Authority
Some RestrictionsHeritage & Protected Trees
Reading does not maintain a dedicated public heritage-tree registry in the City Code, but the Reading Shade Tree Commission (Bill No. 42, Sept. 12, 1973) protects all street trees in the public right-of-way under a uniformly strict standard. Specimen trees on private property may be designated for protection through conditions on approved land-development plans under the City's subdivision and land development ordinance. Reading is a recognized Tree City USA community. Mount Penn and the Mountain Top area host significant mature-tree resources.
Reading PA Heritage and Specimen Trees
Some RestrictionsTree Replacement Requirements
Tree replacement in Reading is administered by the Shade Tree Commission for street-tree removals and by the City's land development ordinance for development sites. Replacement of approved street-tree removals typically requires 1:1 planting per Commission policy. On land-development sites, replacement ratios scale with the diameter of the removed tree, with replacement species drawn from an approved native or non-invasive list. The Commission may also require cash-in-lieu contributions to the City's tree fund where on-site planting is infeasible.
Reading PA Tree Replacement Requirements
Some RestrictionsLooking for Berks County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Reading city rules.
Tree Protection in Berks County →