Quincy’s fall tree planting program underway
Published 9:45 am Thursday, August 6, 2026
QUINCY — Quincy residents and business owners can now begin the process of purchasing a tree through the city’s annual Fall Tree Planting program, an effort officials say is aimed at restoring the city’s tree canopy after hundreds of removals over the past year and a half.
Jason Parrott, the city’s director of planning and development, said crews removed 273 trees from public parkways in 2025 and 129 more during the first half of 2026. The fall planting program gives residents a chance to help replace some of that loss.
“Quincy has been recognized as a Tree City USA community for 40 years,” Parrott said, adding that the planting program is a key part of maintaining that distinction. “Forty trees were planted last year, and the city hopes to further grow the program this fall. Trees benefit our community in many ways, including the stunning visuals throughout the year.”
To start the process, residents and business owners can call the Department of Planning & Development at 217-228-4515 or visit its office at 706 Maine St., third floor, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The city will collect the property’s address and determine whether a tree can be planted in the public parkway, the strip of land between the sidewalk and the street, adjacent to the property. Where no sidewalk exists, the tree would instead be planted within 10 feet of the curb in the front yard.
Parrott said several factors could disqualify a property from approval, including a parkway that is too narrow, a tree location that would obstruct sightlines for drivers or pedestrians, or proximity to underground or overhead utility lines or existing trees.
Property owners whose locations are approved will be contacted so they can select a tree variety. Trees are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, with properties reviewed in the order submissions are received.
The cost is $75 per tree, which includes planting, with payment due once a location has been approved. Trees will be up to 10 feet tall with a trunk diameter of at least 1.5 inches at planting and are expected to be in the ground by mid-December. The city guarantees the trees will bud in the spring, though Parrott said property owners are responsible for ongoing maintenance, including regular watering.
