If you’ve ever walked a shady block in Mt. Airy or Germantown in July and felt a real, physical difference in temperature compared to a bare stretch of asphalt, you already understand what trees do for this city. Philadelphia trees aren’t just decoration. They’re infrastructure.
But planting the wrong tree in the wrong place can cause real headaches down the road, so it’s worth understanding what you’re working with before you dig.
Street Trees vs. Yard Trees: They’re Not the Same Thing
A street tree lives in the cut-out of pavement between the sidewalk and the curb. It has to survive compacted soil, road salt, car exhaust, and drought. Not every species is built for that. The City of Philadelphia manages street trees through Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and TreePhilly coordinates planting efforts and resources for residents who want to get involved.
A yard tree is a different story. You have more room, typically better soil quality, and generally just more flexibility in what you can plant. There are a few city-supported programs that can help you pick the right species and get started. Read on for details.
The Sycamore Situation
If you live in Northwest Philadelphia, you have more than likely encountered sycamores. These are massive, ancient-looking trees with peeling bark and wide canopies that have been shading these neighborhoods for generations. Some of them are genuinely old. They’re beautiful. They’re iconic. And if you have one near your house, there are a few things to know.
Sycamores are water-seekers. Their root systems spread wide and actively move toward underground moisture sources, which in many neighborhoods means pipes. If your sewer line has even a hairline crack, sycamore roots will find it. Once they get inside, they can cause blockages, and can eventually do serious damage to your sewer line. As beautiful and charming as these trees are, sadly this is a known, documented problem with sycamores, and it’s one of the reasons arborists recommend keeping them well away from foundations and plumbing.
They’re also busy at the surface. If you’ve ever tripped on a buckled sidewalk in Chestnut Hill or West Mt. Airy, there’s a good chance a sycamore is involved.
None of this means sycamores are bad trees or that you should avoid them. On a park block or along a wide right-of-way, they’re magnificent. But in a typical Philadelphia rowhouse yard or close to an older clay or cast iron sewer lines, it’s good to be informed about these big beautiful trees and if you’re looking for a tree to plant, there may be other options to consider depending on the location you want to place a tree.
What to Consider Before You Plant
For yard trees near structures or utilities, look for trees with less aggressive, non-invasive root systems: serviceberry, redbud, and certain ornamental cherries tend to be more manageable in urban settings. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and TreePhilly maintain a great list for street and yard trees for exactly this reason.
Philadelphia’s Philly Tree Plan is a 10-year strategy to grow and protect the urban forest. Part of that work involves planting smarter, not just planting more.
The basics of maintenance: mulch well, water young trees through their first two summers, and stay aware of root spread near sidewalks and plumbing. None of it is complicated, and it’s worth the effort.
Trees Are Worth It
Philadelphia’s tree canopy is part of what makes this city livable. Trees lower temperatures at street level, reduce stormwater runoff, clean the air, and make neighborhoods feel like neighborhoods. The Nature Conservancy published an analysis focused on mapping temperatures around Philadelphia and found a clear correlation of neighborhood temperatures and trees. The interactive map is linked here. It’s worth checking out.
Studies consistently show that tree-lined streets hold higher property values. The Arbor Day Foundation, in a study looking at Portland, Oregon, found that “homes with street trees sold for an average of $7,130 more and 1.7 days faster than those without, with nearby homes within 100 feet of street trees also selling for about $1,688 more. The presence of street trees had a sale premium equivalent to adding 129 square feet of finished space. Similarly, in Fulton County, Georgia, mature trees significantly boosted home sale prices, with homes in tree-filled neighborhoods selling for nearly $105,000 more.” You can read more about it here.
Plant the right tree. Know what you’re getting into. And take advantage of the free resources the city offers to help you do it well.
Thinking about buying or selling in a neighborhood with great tree canopy? I’d love to talk. Reach out and we’ll grab a coffee… in the shade.
References cited: TreePhilly, TreePhilly Spring 2026 Tree List, Philly Tree Plan (City of Philadelphia), The Nature Conservancy — Philadelphia Urban Heat & Tree Canopy Analysis, TNC Philadelphia Temperature & Tree Canopy Interactive Map, The Arbor Day Foundation — The Value of Trees.