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Volunteer

Make a difference in the urban forest

Growing, planting, and protecting the urban forest is a big job and we couldn’t do it without our volunteers!

Individual Volunteering
Group Volunteering

Schedule Tree Care

Contact Volunteer Program Manager Kelsey Munsick to schedule tree care for your community today. 

Email Kelsey
Large group of volunteers posed for celebratory photo

What to Expect

We have several ways that individuals and groups can volunteer with Tree Pittsburgh! Every option helps us to grow and protect the urban forest.

Tree Planting and Care

Tree Pittsburgh plants trees in the spring and fall seasons. Tree planting volunteering is just that – planting trees! We plant small containerized trees (2-3 gallon pots) as well as large balled & burlapped trees. There is a role for everyone at a tree planting, no matter your ability level.

We perform tree care all year long, from pruning to weeding, watering, and mulching. This tree care work is crucial to help the tens of thousands of trees planted across Allegheny County survive and thrive!

Please note: while many tree plantings are open for public participation, priority is given to project partners and stakeholders. If a tree planting isn’t available, we encourage you to consider helping our trees through volunteering at the Heritage Nursery, or by doing tree care and maintenance!

Heritage Nursery

In the spring and fall, we need volunteers to help us transplant thousands of seedlings from their small growing trays to larger pots. Seedlings will stay in these pots for another 1-2 years before they are planted or distributed throughout Allegheny County.

In the summer months, volunteers help us weed in and around the containerized trees in the Heritage Nursery. Weeds can often overwhelm our containerized trees and shrubs over the summer and compete for vital resources.

Tree Adoptions

Help prepare tree protection for Tree Adoption events! This tree protection will protect young trees adopted by residents through our Tree Adoption Program and help them to grow and thrive! You will learn how to safely cut the plastic mesh fencing cages and weed blocking paper. 

We also frequently seek volunteers to help at Tree Adoption events. You’ll help tree adoption participants pick up their trees and take them to their vehicles.