Planting Trees in NYC

TREES NEW YORK RESOURCES
In New York City there are two directions that you can take to get a street tree planted. Your choice depends on whether you want to have a tree planted at no cost to you or if you want to purchase the tree. Either way, an individual or community commitment to the tree is a requirement for its the health and survival in the Urban Forest. With your help, New York grows greener day by day!

USING GOVERNMENT RESOURCES

To get a street tree planted within the five boroughs you should contact your local community board and ask for a Street Tree Request Form. Click here to find your Community Board's address and phone number on the official New York City Government website. Your request will be turned over to the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC DPR) for planting during the appropriate season. Your tree will be planted by NYC DPR at no cost to you, but you may have to wait as long as two years because of the high demand.

USING PRIVATE RESOURCES

If you want a street tree planted immediately in New York City, you must pay the entire planting cost. You can either pay the Parks Department to plant your tree in the next planting season, or arrange for the planting yourself.

If you want to arrange for the planting privately, whether you are planting trees through your Co-op or Condo, a local community group, a local merchants group or doing it yourself, you first must obtain the proper permit from your local Borough Forestry Office of NYC Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC DPR). NYC DPR will provide a list of approved tree species and inspect the planting location. If you are creating a new tree pit, you must also get a permit from the Department of Transportation (DOT) which will cost $135. You must remove the concrete at your own expense according to DOT guidelines. You may then hire a landscaper to plant the tree for you. It is important to consider the conditions of the area that the tree will be growing in when choosing the type of tree that you are planting to insure the best survival rates. The estimated costs of the whole process is $500-$800.

All trees planted within New York City's right of way (both street trees and some lawn trees) become the property of the city after the one-year guarantee by the landscaper expires, regardless of who plants them or pays for any planting procedures.

PLANTING THROUGH TREES NEW YORK

Neighborhood Tree Plantings through Trees New York

Our privately funded planting projects include a significant planting project on the Lower East Side that has changed a desolate traffic triangle into a leafy oasis and replanted nearly every empty treepit from East 3rd Street south. Another private foundation grant enabled us to do a major replanting effort in the Tompkins Square vicinity of the East Village. Smaller projects include plantings for affordable housing projects funded through corporate grants. We are always seeking funds for planting projects. Please email, call or write to us if you are interested in a planting or need more information.