There are two ways to get street trees planted in NYC

Sweetgum Tree,
one of many approved tree species.

1. Any group can purchase a tree and hire a landscaper to plant it, a process which costs between $500 to $800 per tree. In order to plant a tree, an individual or group must first complete a free permit application from the Parks Department and have the planting location inspected by their Manhattan Forestry office.

The Parks Dept will give information by phone and on the web, including a list of approved tree species. You can even add a tree if there is currently no tree pit at a location, but you will need to apply to the Department of Transportation for a permit and pay for the costs of creating the tree pit.

Any trees planted within a sidewalk become the property of the city after the landscaper’s one year guarantee expires.

Trees improve air quality, muffle noise, catch airborne debris and lend a quality-of-life sense of well-being to neighborhood residents and businesses. Some studies have shown that children perform better in schools that have trees outside the windows. Community members should take the initiative to talk together and work to green their neighborhoods.

2. Any property owner may request a tree that the Parks Department will plant free-of-charge, on their sidewalk. Since only property owners may request a tree, neighborhood groups or building residents must work with owners to get trees planted and trees are planted by the city on a first-come, first-served basis.

The first step in this process is for the owner to fill out a Street Tree Request Form from the Parks Department or your local community board. Groups wishing to get a tree planted in the spring must turn in their application by December 31st, the deadline for the next planting season of March 15 to May 15.

Any applications received after this date will not be considered for planting until the fall planting season, which is from October 15 to December 15. You may call your local community board for more information or the Parks Dept’s Street Tree Planting Office at (718) 760-6794. You can find instructions and application forms here.