Join us for 8th Annual Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, March 1! Festivities begin at 9 a.m. and the ceremony starts at 10:30 a.m.

arbor day
Cost: FREE
Location: Waterford Parks Phase 5 (new park development)
Directions: W. Exchange, North on Bray Central, left on Hopewell Drive, left on Copano Drive, left on Hueco Dr.
Celebrate urban forests in Allen with activities for the whole family to enjoy including plantings of 10 gallon shade trees and a perrenial garden along with eco-nature crafts. The fun starts on Saturday, March 1 from 9 a.m. to noon at Waterford Park. The cost is free. For more information on Arbor Day, contact Urban Forestry at 214-509-4833.

about our urban forestry program
In Allen, urban forestry includes public care, maintenance, and growth of trees, greenbelts, shrubs, ground cover, flowers, perennials and wildflowers. A variety of educational initiatives are also part of the urban forestry efforts.

walk in the woods
Take a Walk in the Woods in one of Allen’s greatest living forested areas. The Trail at the Woods offers an educational view of the Rowlett Creek eco-system. Cool off at least 10 degrees from the Texas heat under some of the largest trees in Allen. Tree Guides will be provided by Allen’s Urban Forester as she guides you down the trail on a journey back to nature. The cost is $3. To schedule a walk, contact Susan Campbell at 214-509-4833.

trees for allen
Keep Allen Beautiful, in cooperative effort with Parks and Recreation, has initiated Trees for Allen, a beautification and reforestation program. Applications will be accepted until Friday, February 16. Applications are available on the City website. Allen residents may purchase shade trees at a cost of $35 each (includes delivery). The trees should be planted in open access areas such as residential front yards. Local organizations such as neighborhood associations, churches, and school groups are also eligible to purchase trees for planting in open access areas. For more information about tree purchase, to view pictures of the trees, applications and for additional contact information, see Trees for Allen.

urban forestry goes high-tech
With the purchase of a GPS Range Finder, Allen's Parks and Recreation urban forestry division has been able to conduct a GIS Tree Inventory within the city's four largest community parks (Allen Station, Celebration Park, Ford East and West Parks). The inventory has been performed with the assistance of Eagle Scout project volunteers and funded with the support of the Urban Forestry Assistance Grant Program. Data collected with the GPS equipment will be used to produce a profile and benchmark for both new and existing trees planted. The information obtained will then aid in the creation a management plan for replacements, new tree plantings, growth patterns, pruning needs and a hazardous tree assessment.

tree city designation
The City of Allen has been designated Tree City USA since 2002 by the National Arbor Day Foundation. In order to become a Tree City USA recipient, the city had to meet four basic standards which included designation of a Tree Board, establishment of a community tree ordinance, implementation of a community forestry program with a designated operating budget, and host an annual observance of Arbor Day along with an Arbor Day proclamation by the City Council.

In Allen, the Parks and Recreation Board also serve as the official Tree Board. The community tree ordinance was established as Section 7.06, Tree Preservation, Allen Land Development Code in 2001. Allen also has received the National Arbor Day Foundation Growth Award for the third year in a row. This award recognizes environmental improvement and encourages higher level of tree care and tree preservation within the community. In 2003, the City of Allen also received the Texas Community Forestry Award for Urban Forestry Development by the Texas Forest Service and the Texas Urban Forestry Council at the National Urban Forestry Conference in San Antonio, Texas.

we have answers
If you have questions regarding your trees, shrubs or flowers, contact the Green Team at scampbell@cityofallen.org. We are happy to provide the public with pertinent information or provide a program or informational workshop.

Also available online is the tree removal permit.