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 will be observed at the Allen Public Library on Saturday, March 5th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The official Arbor Day tree will be dedicated. Groups and individuals will have the opportunity to plant trees on the grounds. There will be educational arts & crafts for the kids, a DJ providing music and tree climbing demos.

Activities begin at 9 a.m. and the presentation begins at 11 a.m. Howard Garrett, The Dirt Doctor, will be doing a live broadcast from 9 - 11a.m. and speaking in the Auditorium at 12 noon. 

Sponsored by Friends of the Allen Public Library, Keep Allen Beautiful and the Parks and Recreation Department, and The Allen Parks Foundation, this fun family event is free.

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 is celebrating its tenth year as a Tree City USA recipient, established 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 hosting an annual observance of Arbor Day along with an Arbor Day proclamation by the City Council. In addition, The City of Allen has earned the National Arbor Day Tree City Growth Award for its ninth consecutive year. This award recognizes environmental improvement and encourages higher level of tree care and tree preservation within the community.

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. 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.

We Have Answers

If you have questions regarding your trees, shrubs or flowers, contact the City Forester at dmoore@cityofallen.org. We are happy to provide the public with pertinent information or provide a program or informational workshop.

Please contact Denise Moore at 214.509.3330 or dmoore@cityofallen.org to obtain a Tree Removal Permit application.

Find out more about urban forestry at these sites: