Old City Tree Planting

Old City Green (OCG) volunteer tree planting events are organized in accordance with opportunity and demand. OCG is a PHS Tree Tender Group, and Old City does have quite a few PHS-Certified Tree Tenders among our volunteers.

OCG Tree Tenders and volunteers have planted over 200 trees locally, with the majority provided through the PHS Tree Tenders program, and the balance planted by contractors arranged by OCG. After planting, trees are regularly watered, pruned, and the tree pits maintained.

OCG also plays an active role in planning and managing local non-volunteer tree planting efforts lead by Old City District and the Department of Parks & Recreation. Our annual meeting with Parks & Recreation and Old City District ensures timely removal and replacement of spent trees and best application of City-allocated resources.

There are many ways to get trees planted in our community, but no curb-edge tree can be planted without permission from the property owner and a site that passes inspection by Streets Department and Parks & Recreation, both Departments following the City’s Complete Streets Handbook.

Within the Handbook, street trees are the absolute last priority after the following restrictions have all been observed: 55’ from approaching a corner with a stop sign or traffic light without a parking lane; 45’ from approaching a corner with a parking lane; 35’ from exiting a corner; 20’ from a street light; 15’ from a driveway, utility pole, or hydrant; 5’ from residential line, utility main or duct, storm inlet or drain, utility manhole, parking and directional signage; and, clear of bus stops and ADA parking spaces.

In addition, Old City does not have overhead power or communication lines, so those lines are under the sidewalk along with the gas, water, waste, and communication lines, all creating conflicts with potential tree-planting sites. Further, Old City has many, many vaulted sidewalks where the property basement extends to the curb, so there is no soil under the sidewalk, making it impossible to plant trees at any of those locations.

Old City Green, and our tree-planting partners, make best efforts every year to plant as many trees as possible. Your targeted donations will help us plan and budget for our next tree planting.

It’s A Tree Pit, Not A Pee Pit message cones are our latest tree-health initiative.