Urban Forestry

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.

Arbor Day

Arbor Day is a local celebration hosted each year in March. The celebration incorporates a beautification project at one of the city’s local parks. In conjunction with the event, a statewide National Arbor Day Poster contest is held each year for 5th grade students. Local posters for the contest are collected and judged by the Keep Allen Beautiful board and Allen Arts Alliance representatives. Winning entries are then sent to the state for high level competition. Allen winners are presented prizes and certificates by Keep Allen Beautiful at the Arbor Day Celebration. Arbor Day activities will include nature crafts and music. For more information on Arbor Day, contact Urban Forestry 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 Hi-Tech

With the purchase of a GPS Range Finder,the 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

We Have Answers

If you have questions regarding your trees, shrubs or flowers, contact the Green Team at rtownsend@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.

Find out more about urban forestry at these sites: