Urban Forestry

To submit an application for tree maintenance authorization, a free street tree, or to view applications currently under review please visit the new

City of Kingston Tree Commission Portal

Report Hazardous Trees, Fallen Branches, or Storm Damage

If you see a tree posing risk or tree damage from storms, report it via Kingston 311 immediately.

311 Online: Report via Kingston 311 webpage or smartphone app.
311 by Phone: Dial 311.

Free Street Tree Planting
 The City of Kingston plants street trees for free at the request of property owners! Trees are planted within 10ft of the street or abutting property line, accommodating any sidewalks and underground utilities. To request a free tree to be planted in either spring or fall, complete the Street Tree Planting Request Permit.

Street Tree Pruning and Removal
 Maintenance of existing street trees is the responsibility of the abutting property owner. Any pruning, removal, or root disturbance work of street trees requires permission from the City Tree Commission via a Tree Maintenance Permit. In recognition of expenses tree maintenance requires, the City of Kingston offers financial reimbursement grants with approved applications on a first-come-first-served basis. The City Tree Commission meets monthly to review applications for tree maintenance and removal.

Click here to view the 2025 Tree Commission Meeting Schedule.

Unauthorized removal or pruning deemed damaging to the street tree can result in a fine of up to $1,250 and replacement of the lost tree. If removal is required for an emergency, please call the Urban Forester at (845) 334-3927.

Tree Roots and Sidewalks
 Do not cut or otherwise remove tree roots under sidewalks during repair. Doing so risks harming the health of the tree. Many street trees in Kingston have been accidentally killed due to root cutting during sidewalk repairs leading to extensive costs for pruning and tree removal. Sidewalk repairs can be completed without damaging tree roots using appropriate materials and practices. If you are a property owner planning to repair sidewalk lifted or misaligned due to conflicts with tree roots, please first complete a sidewalk repair permit with the Department of Public Works. Click here to complete the sidewalk repair permit or call the Department of Public Works at (845) 331-0682.

Urban Forestry in Kingston
 Urban canopies provide many benefits to community members in Kingston. An urban tree will cool nearby homes and streets during the hot summer weather, block wind throughout the winter, filter pollution from the air, slow stormwater, and reduce flooding. These trees also enrich our lives by providing beauty, calming car traffic, and providing habitat for local birds and beneficial insects. This is why the City of Kingston has a goal of planting 1,000 trees by 2030.

Want to learn more about the street tree in front of your home? You can find the tree and Kingston's nearly 4,000 other street trees and park trees on the City of Kingston Interactive Tree Map.

In 2024, the City of Kingston created a position for an Urban Forester to manage the City’s urban tree canopy with the priorities to expand of residents’ equitable access to trees, create more tree cover, diversify Kingston’s tree types and, as well as support the health and resilience of the City’s trees from pests, storms, and other conflicts. The Urban Forester is responsible for the development of planting and management plans, administration of grants awarded to the City for urban forestry, creation of community events related to Kingston’s trees, and receives Tree Permits through the Planning Department. The Urban Forester also serves as a non-voting member of the City Tree Commission.

The Urban Forester collaborates with all City departments, commissions, and community members to identify forestry needs in Kingston. Currently, the City of Kingston is the awardee of grant funding from the USDA’s Urban and Community Forestry Project and the NY Department of Environmental Conservation’s Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program. With these funds, the Urban Forester will be able to advance Kingston’s urban canopy goals while addressing the current needs of city trees.