Lancaster to Seek Holiday Tree Donations by October 30

Property owners can offload large tree removal costs by donating mature conifers to the city's Penn Square holiday display.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Philanthropy

Bold vector editorial illustration of a large evergreen conifer tree standing in a lawn, evoking community seasonal preparation. — Lancaster city officials are calling for donations of mature evergreen trees to serve as the centerpiece for the annual Penn Square holiday display. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you consider donating a large tree from your property for a city holiday display?

Lancaster city officials are seeking donated evergreen trees for the Penn Square holiday display, with submissions due by October 30, 2026. Local businesses or landowners with suitable trees may have them removed and transported by public works crews at no cost.

Why it matters

Donating a mature tree provides a high-visibility, zero-cost marketing opportunity for local commercial property owners or land managers. Participating businesses eliminate the expense and labor of clearing large trees while gaining community goodwill during the holiday season.

Lancaster is soliciting evergreen conifers between 25 and 35 feet tall with a base width of 20 to 25 feet, compared to more rigid 30 to 50-foot requirements in nearby Chambersburg. Public works crews manage all extraction and transport, eliminating professional arborist costs for donors.

The players

Lancaster City Arborist

The municipal official responsible for verifying tree health, dimensions, and structural integrity for public displays.

Lancaster Department of Public Works

The city agency managing the logistics of large-scale tree extraction, transport, and site installation.

The details

The city arborist evaluates candidate trees to ensure they meet the dimensional requirements for the Penn Square display. Once a tree is selected, municipal public works crews handle the site clearance, which includes cutting the tree down and transporting it via flatbed before hoisting it into position with a crane. All labor for the extraction and transport is provided by the city at no expense to the donor.

October 30, 2026: Submission deadline for Lancaster tree donations.
November 2026: Final selection of the Lancaster holiday tree.
November 26, 2026: Date scheduled for cutting the tree.
November 27, 2026: Tree lighting ceremony in Lancaster.

Market Landscape

This initiative follows an established regional pattern where cities across the Susquehanna Valley solicit private donations to manage the costs of public holiday infrastructure. Lancaster’s approach aligns with similar donation drives in York and Chambersburg that leverage local land assets to offset municipal spending.

Property owners with mature evergreens should verify that trees meet the specific 25 to 35-foot height and 20-foot base width criteria before contacting (717) 291-4846. Interested parties must act before the October 30 deadline to ensure city crews can evaluate the site for extraction access.

The takeaway

Donating a tree to the city can save significant costs on professional tree removal for business owners while serving as a community asset. Owners should contact the city's inquiry line at (717) 291-4846 to submit their property for consideration before the final selection window opens in November.