FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Matt Maisel, Director of Communications
(717) 255-7295
[email protected]

March 29, 2023

HARRISBURG — Spring has sprung, and that means tree-planting season is here again in the City of Harrisburg.

On Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22, Uptown Harrisburg will get a makeover with the addition of 75 new trees. All trees are large bare root trees, starting at a height between 8 to 10 feet tall. They are relatively lightweight, and easy to lift, according to City Forester Ellen Roane.

The Spring 2023 tree planting will take place between Division and Maclay Streets, from 2nd to 7th Streets, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day.

“Trees provide essential ecoservices to urban areas, like cleaning and cooling the air, reducing stormwater runoff, and taking up carbon, while also adding tremendous beauty to our homes and streets,” Roane said. “Yet for far too long, the rate at which street trees are removed in Harrisburg has exceeded the number that are replanted, resulting in a net loss of tree cover. In recent years, in an effort to reverse this trend, significant funds have been allocated to the Shade Tree Program toward the purchase of new street and park trees.”

Since 2019, approximately 500 new trees have been planted, largely by volunteers. Anyone who wishes to sign up for the Spring 2023 Community Tree Planting is welcome to by clicking on this Google Docs link.

Video from the City’s fall 2022 tree planting in Allison Hill

If signing up more than one adult, please complete the form for each individual, providing name, email, and cell phone where they can be reached for further details about the event. Children under 18 may be included on an adult’s form. The information will be used for purposes of this planting only, and will not be shared. 

The City’s Community Tree Planting takes place every spring and fall, with a different neighborhood targeted each time. Property owners are offered new street trees, suitable for their site, at no cost. The only ask if that they help plant, if possible, and care for it until it becomes an established tree.

“We are always looking for neighborhoods in need of trees where resident interest in increasing tree cover is also high,” said Roane. “If you know of such a site, or would be willing to help with outreach to such neighborhoods, please let us know!”

Individuals who sign up for the Friday, April 21 tree planting are asked to meet at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, at the corner of Green and Seneca Streets, at 9 a.m. People participating in the Saturday, April 22 tree planting will meet at the Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church at the corner of Green and Schuylkill Streets, also at 9 a.m.

Handtools, work gloves, water, and snacks will be provided. Volunteers are invited to bring their own, as well as a refillable water bottle.