Will Philly’s Tree Plan wither or thrive? Experts push for action & “proactive” care.

Despite planting thousands of trees, funding cuts and public distrust pose challenges.

On Wednesday, March 5, the Philadelphia Council of the Environment held a hearing to review the Philly Tree Plan, a ten-year plan to increase the city’s tree canopy. Two years into the project, progress has been made, but funding freezes and low public buy-in remain barriers to overall success. 

Representatives from Philadelphia Parks and Rec reported planting 3,724 trees in 2024. A key change in PPR’s approach to the Tree Plan moving forward will be to switch from “a reactive to a proactive” inspection cycle for street trees. Currently, tree maintenance by PPR is primarily performed at the request of residents; a proactive model will instead provide a clear inspection cycle, explained Erica Smith Fichman, City Forester.

Smith Fichman cited barriers to the plan including the retirement of skilled laborers and President Trump’s decision to freeze access to a critical $12 million grant. Hamil Persall, Temple Professor of Urban Geography, Environmental and Social Justice, also cited public distrust due to disinvestment during similar past initiatives. 

Leaders from partner organizations like UC Green, Philly Tree people, and Pennsylvania Horticultural Society echoed the call for increased funding and education rather than heavy reliance on volunteer support. Public testimonials condemned the removal of heritage trees from FDR Park last year. Several speakers pointed to the need for trees for carbon capture and public health. 

“Trees not only transform the community; they have an impact on the people within them as well,” said Raven Green, Tree Program Coordinator at Bartram’s Garden.

Some of the information in this article about the Tree Plan Hearing was sourced from the Philly Documenters program, which trains and pays people to take notes at public meetings. You can see more from this meeting here.

Cover Photo: Ta’Liyah Thomas | PHL City Council

Edit: A previous version of this article misnamed PHS and Smith Fichman’s position. The article has been updated for accuracy.