From left: City of Harrisburg forester Cody Legge, Jean Joint owner Bob de Gomar, and Friends of Midtown beautification committee chair Ed Jaroch pose with one of Midtown’s new street trees.
You may see some new street trees around the city this week.
On Friday, Friends of Midtown planted three trees on the 1200 block of N. 3rd Street, with more planned for the city, and state officials announced new tree plantings in South Harrisburg.
Friends of Midtown planted Japanese Lilac trees, one outside of the Jean Joint, one by the neighboring parking lot, and one outside of the Fine Wine and Spirits.
“It’s nice that they’re doing it,” said Jean Joint owner Bob de Gomar. “Anything to improve the neighborhood.”
FOM received 15 trees total to plant around Harrisburg this month, all funded through TreePennsylvania’s Fall 2025 Bare Root Tree grant program. It is the group’s first year offering free street trees to interested community members with available spots.
Fifteen community members, scattered between Uptown, Midtown, and Downtown, applied for the trees through FOM. The plantings—11 of which are in Midtown—are part of a conscious Harrisburg beautification effort, inspired by the group’s conversations with local business owners and community members. FOM plans to offer the program again next year and take applications from interested Harrisburg residents.
“What we’ve heard from small businesses is just how important beautification is,” said Andy Hughes, FOM’s vice president and business committee chair.
City of Harrisburg forester Cody Legge helped determine what trees would grow best on the block in the tight sidewalk spots.
“I gauge off of how wide the spot is and if there’s other restrictions like overhead lines,” Legge said.
(From left)DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams, city Communications Director Mischelle Moyer and City Forester Cody Legge planted a tree near Cloverly Heights park.
Earlier Friday morning, Legge held a press conference with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to announce the planting of 33 trees in Harrisburg’s Cloverly Heights neighborhood. These trees were also provided to the city. through the TreePennsylvania Bare-Root Tree Program.
The city’s Tree Tenders program volunteers began planting following the press conference.
“These trees are more than leaves and branches; they are symbols of resiliance,” Mayor Wanda Williams said. “Each one planted represents another step towards a greener, cleaner and a healthier Harrisburg.”
TreePennsylvania is a private, statewide nonprofit committed to increasing tree canopy throughout the state. Visit their website to learn more.
For more information on Friends of Midtown, visit their website.
Maddie Gittens contributed to this story.
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