Erie, PA Tree Protection: Tree Replacement Requirements (2026)

Erie's tree-replacement framework operates at two levels. For street and municipal-tree removals authorized under Article 165 (https://ecode360.com/33834453), Article 165.07(c) is titled 'Removal and Replacement Permit' and combines the removal authorization with replacement-planting requirements. The $50 administrative fee covers the combined application, and the City Arborist within the Department of Public Works, Property and Parks specifies replacement species, planting location, and standard. Replacement species are typically drawn from the City's approved street-tree list, predominantly native or proven non-invasive species suited to urban conditions in northwestern Pennsylvania (e.g., oaks, maples, hackberry, serviceberry, and disease-resistant elm cultivars). For tree removal on land-development or subdivision sites, the Erie Zoning Ordinance (https://ecode360.com/ER3969) may impose tree-inventory and replacement-planting obligations as conditions of subdivision or site-plan approval. Common practice in Pennsylvania municipalities of Erie's size applies a sliding-scale replacement requirement based on diameter at breast height (DBH): roughly 1:1 for smaller trees, 2:1 for mid-size, and 3:1 for mature specimens, with replacement caliper of 2 to 2.5 inches and a one- to two-year survivability warranty. Where on-site planting is infeasible, cash-in-lieu contributions to a City tree fund may be accepted at the City Arborist's discretion. Pennsylvania's PA DCNR Community Forestry program supports Erie's Tree City USA designation, which requires per-capita tree expenditures and active community-forestry programming.