Tree Protection in Pennsylvania (2026)
24 rules on the books across Pennsylvania, 18 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Heritage & Protected Trees
Extra protections for old, large, or historically significant trees, including the penalties for removing them without approval.
Allegheny County
Heavy RestrictionsAllegheny County flatly bars approval of any subdivision or land development plan that would destroy a tree listed on…
Read full rule →Allentown
Significant RestrictionsAny city-owned or right-of-way tree classified as historic, a champion of its species, or a planted remembrance tree…
Read full rule →Haverford
Significant RestrictionsIn Haverford Township, Pennsylvania, a heritage tree is any tree with a DBH of 30 inches or more. Removing one takes a…
Read full rule →Franklin Township
Some RestrictionsFranklin Township has no standalone landmark-tree registry, but its zoning code defines a 24-inch-dbh "specimen tree"…
Read full rule →Harrisburg
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, development plans must show every existing tree with a trunk diameter of 12…
Read full rule →Protected Tree Species
Specific native species (oak, sycamore, walnut, juniper) protected by city ordinance, diameter thresholds, removal permits, and replacement ratios.
Parkway Planting
Permits and rules for planting in the parkway strip between sidewalk and curb, including approved species lists and Bureau of Street Services standards.
Bristol
Significant RestrictionsIn Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania, nobody plants a shade tree on a public highway without a permit, and Borough Council…
Read full rule →Allegheny County
Some RestrictionsAllegheny County requires street trees along both sides of new subdivision and land development streets, with minimum…
Read full rule →Allentown
Some RestrictionsAllentown's land development code requires street trees along the streetscape's tree zone under § 350-14, with the…
Read full rule →Bensalem
Some RestrictionsBensalem's Shade Tree Commission adopts a street tree plan covering every street, avenue, park and parkway in the…
Read full rule →Bethlehem
Some RestrictionsAnyone who wants to plant a tree in a Bethlehem public right-of-way, including the parkway strip between the sidewalk…
Read full rule →Bristol Township
Some RestrictionsBristol Township Code § 177-51 requires street trees along both sides of every street in a land development or…
Read full rule →Franklin Township
Some RestrictionsNew developments creating public or private roads in Franklin Township must plant shade trees along the full length of…
Read full rule →Harrisburg
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, street shade trees are planted to the Department of Parks, Recreation and…
Read full rule →Haverford
Some RestrictionsIn Haverford Township, nobody plants, prunes, removes or sprays a public shade tree along a street without a written…
Read full rule →Lower Merion
Some RestrictionsLower Merion Township's Shade Tree Commission controls tree planting in the public right-of-way; a property owner must…
Read full rule →Lower Paxton
Some RestrictionsIn Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, new shade trees in the right-of-way must be spaced 25 to 40 feet apart, sit…
Read full rule →Millcreek
Some RestrictionsMillcreek Township Code § 29-46 governs every tree placed, maintained or replaced in a public street right-of-way…
Read full rule →Philadelphia
Some RestrictionsNew developments over 5,000 sq. ft. must plant one street tree every 35 feet of frontage, spaced at least 15 feet…
Read full rule →Pittsburgh
Some RestrictionsPlanting a tree or shrub in a Pittsburgh street, parkway, or other public place requires a Department of Public Works…
Read full rule →Pottstown
Some RestrictionsPottstown regulates every tree planted in a street right-of-way under Chapter 25, Part 1. Before a resident plants a…
Read full rule →Reading
Some RestrictionsReading requires street trees to be Arborist-approved species set back at least 40 feet from intersections, 15 feet…
Read full rule →Scranton
Some RestrictionsScranton requires street trees along new land developments and major subdivisions, at one tree for every 60 feet of…
Read full rule →Upper Darby
Some RestrictionsUpper Darby requires a written Shade Tree Commission permit before any tree is planted along a public street, and Code…
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