Millcreek, PA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Section 29-46 of the Millcreek Township Code applies whenever trees are placed, maintained or replaced within the right-of-way of a public street. For spacing, shade trees intended to grow to 35 feet or taller need a minimum of 30 feet and a maximum of 60 feet between trees. Ornamental trees that will stay under 35 feet need a minimum of 20 feet and a maximum of 30 feet. With Board of Supervisors approval of a final planting layout, trees can instead be clustered at the corner of the property line and right-of-way, so long as the required density is met and site lines and lighting are considered. Trees belong in the tree lawn between the sidewalk and the paved cartway, never in swales or berm areas beside noncurbed streets.

Branching standards protect sight lines. At intersections, foliage must be no closer than 35 feet from the intersection of the street rights-of-way, measured from two feet to six feet above ground. Typical branching must not be within eight feet of ground level after 10 years, and a three-foot clear zone must stay open from three feet to eight feet in height so pedestrians and sidewalks stay clear.

Quality and selection rules follow. Trees must be nursery-grown with a trunk caliper of at least two inches, measured six inches above finish grade, and the Board of Supervisors approves varieties. Suitable species listed include red maple, Autumn Flame, Autumn Purple ash, Summit Ash, Sunburst honeylocust, Littleleaf linden and Green Vase zelkova. Prohibited species include Norway maple, sycamore maple, tree-of-heaven, Empress tree, Callery pear and Siberian elm, and nothing on Pennsylvania's invasive plants list is authorized. Section 29-46E requires a one-year guarantee: if more than 1/3 of a tree dies in that period it is replaced, and the replacement is guaranteed for two planting seasons.