Providence Parks

About Forestry Division

• Staffed by certified arborists
• Led by ISA Board Certified Master Arborist
• Performs inspections, pruning, hazard tree removal, and storm response
• Public street tree planting is coordinated in partnership with PNPP (Providence Neighborhood Planting Program) and others
• Follows all ANSI A300 Standards and Best Management Practices

Stump (Standing Log) Removal

• Prioritized by ADA conflict and date originated
• New plantings accelerate lower-priority stump removals

Infrastructure Conflict Guidance

• 8′ minimum clearance over sidewalks
• 12′ minimum clearance over streets
• 6′ recommended clearance off of structures (roofs, siding, etc.)

RI Energy Infrastructure Guidance – Minimum Vegetation Clearances

• Clearance of Utility poles and wires are the responsibility of RI Energy
• Primary Wires: 10′ overhead, 6′ side, 10′ below
• Secondary Wires: 12″ all directions
• Customer Service Drops and Communication Wires: 6″ in all directions
• RI Energy Non-Emergency (855) 743-1101
• For electrical emergencies, call 911
• Diagram of a Utility Pole (click to enlarge)
• 

Tree Planting

The Forestry Division plants trees as a partner of the PNPP, with matched financing from the Mary Elizabeth Sharpe Providence Neighborhood Planting Program Fund administered by the Rhode Island Foundation. PNPP plants approximately 500 trees per year throughout the city with the help of residents. Forestry offers a “match cost” program and issues free permits to residents who wish to plant their own trees within the city right-of-way. Please inquire at PNPP.org

Tree Pruning Process

The Forestry Division addresses work requests in the order received and the risk value associated with the situation. In addition to resident requests, Forestry began systematically pruning all city street trees in 2016, initiating the first 10-year cycle. Block pruning is an equitable way to ensure proper urban canopy regardless of constituent involvement.

You must request a free permit before performing any work on a city tree, including pruning, removal, digging or trenching, and planting a new tree in the right-of-way. Fines will be assessed if city trees are damaged or removed without prior permission.

Download the Tree Work Permit Application

Significant Trees

The city’s largest shade trees are precious resources. A large tree offers exponentially greater environmental benefits than a small or newly planted tree due to the large amount of extra foliage. Trees require many decades to reach a mature size. Preserving and protecting mature trees is a top priority, and serves to benefit public health. To read more about the benefits and challenges facing trees in Providence, see our report on the State of Providence’s Urban Forest.

In 2004, the City passed a regulation in its Zoning Ordinance ( Article 1503 B – “Significant Tree Preservation”) that protects trees that are 32 inches in diameter or greater (measured 4.5 feet above the ground), regardless of location (the ordinance is applicable to trees on both public and private land). No “Significant Tree” shall be removed without prior permission of the City Forester. Any person wishing to remove a Significant Tree shall file a request to do so with the City Forester. The request must meet certain criteria in order to receive approval, most notably that the tree poses a danger to human safety, health, and welfare.

Photo Gallery

Providence Forestry team photo in Roger Williams Park with freshly fallen snow coating the trees

Tree-lined street on the east side of Providence showing mix of mature and young trees

Tree-lined street on the east side of Providence with a good mix of canopy

Providence Forestry trimming trees at Billy Taylor Park

Providence Forestry Team Meeting

Street Tree Planting in Providence

Providence Forestry Tree Trimmer in Bucket

Providence Forestry removing a large tree down in Roger Williams Park