Tree Protection in Scranton, PA (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Scranton, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal Permits
Tree-removal permitting in the City of Scranton runs through the Shade Tree Commission and City Forester under Chapter 434 Article I (Trees) and Chapter 358 (Shade Tree Commission). Permission from the Commission and/or City Forester is required to remove any tree in the public right-of-way, on public parks, or on any City-owned grounds. The Code does not impose a separate, standalone permit for routine private-lot tree removals outside the right-of-way. Removal of a Planning-Commission-conditioned tree within a subdivision or site-plan approval area requires Planning Commission consent.
Scranton PA Tree Removal Permits and Shade Tree Commission Review
Some RestrictionsHeritage & Protected Trees
The City of Scranton does not maintain a separately codified heritage-tree registry. Specimen and notable trees are protected indirectly through Chapter 434 Article I (Trees) and Chapter 358 (Shade Tree Commission), which together make it unlawful to remove or top any tree in the public right-of-way, parks, or other City-owned grounds without Shade Tree Commission or City Forester permission. Notable mature-tree resources include Nay Aug Park, Lake Scranton Watershed land, and Lackawanna State Park (Lackawanna County). Tree City USA designation acknowledges Scranton's commitment to its urban forest under Arbor Day Foundation criteria.
Scranton PA Heritage and Specimen Trees
Some RestrictionsTree Replacement Requirements
Tree replacement in the City of Scranton is imposed through Shade Tree Commission and City Forester conditions on right-of-way and park-tree removal permits under Chapter 434 Article I and Chapter 358, and through City Planning Commission conditions on subdivision and site-plan approvals. The Code does not impose a fixed numeric replacement ratio town-wide; replacement species, caliper, and survivability are set case by case. State-funded support is available through the PA DCNR Urban and Community Forestry program (C2P2 grants) and TreePennsylvania (the City received $30,000 for 250 bare-root trees through PA Environmental Justice Forests).