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TreePennsylvania Offers Trees to Communities in Spring 2027

The application process starts in October for this grant program offering communities large bare root trees to plant streetside, in parks, and other public spaces within their municipalities.

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Updated:

September 29, 2026

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Since 2020, the non-profit TreePennsylvania has offered a mini-grant to communities to plant large-caliper bare-root trees. During that time, over 5000 trees have been planted along streets, in parks, and in schools. The Spring 2027 Bare Root Tree Grant will be launched in early October, with a few changes to the program.

An informational webinar reviewing the program, eligibility requirements, and grantee responsibilities will be held in October for communities interested in receiving trees. Interested communities must attend the webinar to apply for a grant.

Applicants will submit a brief Intent to Apply form online in early November to indicate their interest in a bare-root tree-planting project. This form will replace the preliminary application that was used in previous grant rounds. The Intent to Apply will connect applicants with their coordinating Pennsylvania DCNR Service Forester and/or Penn State Extension Urban Forester. The form will be available for 12 days (November 9-20, 2026) and must be submitted online.

Following a review process, communities will be informed that they can move forward by developing a detailed planting plan and scheduling site visits with a DCNR or Penn State Forester. Communities will have seven weeks to meet with a Forester and develop a planting plan, including details for each planting site (such as whether power lines are present or the size of the tree lawn), a map, and pictures of the planting locations. A planting plan template and species list will be provided to guide the creation of a plan with ongoing input from their Forester. Tree species can also be selected for the sites, although flexibility is important as some species might not be readily available for spring plantings, depending on final nursery availability.

Communities that are interested in planting trees in the Spring of 2027 should not wait until December or January to begin developing a planting plan. They should consider developing the planting plan (locations and communication with residents and elected officials) as soon as possible, and begin communicating with residents and elected officials to seek local approval for the planting project.

Unless pre-approved by a Forester, all communities must schedule an in-person site visit with their Forester. This is the responsibility of the applicant, not the Forester.

Applicants will submit their full application and comprehensive planting plan, including species selections, watering and maintenance plans, and a sign-off from their Forester. Applicants would have at least four (4) weeks to complete this process. Applications submitted by the February 1, 2027 deadline will be reviewed by the Grant Committee within ten business days. Due to the nature of this application process, late applications will not be accepted for any reason.

This grant program is open to most Pennsylvania counties. Applications cannot be accepted from Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties. In Allegheny County, the TreeVitalize Pittsburgh tree planting program is offered through the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society offers a tree-planting program in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties. Municipalities and non-profit organizations in all other PA counties are welcome to apply to the TreePennsylvania Bare Root Tree Program. Representatives from state government agencies such as PA DCNR, PA DEP, PENNDOT, as well as representatives from Penn State Extension, are not eligible to apply through this program.