What Tree Pittsburgh does

Tree Pittsburgh is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit organization founded in 2006 and headquartered on a 5-acre campus at 32 62nd Street in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, along the Allegheny River. The organization's core function is the restoration and protection of the urban forest across Allegheny County and Western Pennsylvania through five integrated program areas: tree planting and care, education and certification, neighborhood-based canopy expansion in underserved communities, advocacy, and land conservation. Its primary technical assets are the Heritage Nursery, which grows native trees from seed collected within the Western Pennsylvania eco-region to promote genetic diversity and climate adaptation, and the Tree Pittsburgh Arboretum, a living classroom containing over 700 trees across 40 unique species. Programming spans the Tree Tenders adult certification course, ReLeaf neighborhood initiatives in Beltzhoover, California-Kirkbride, and Homewood, the Tree Adoption Program providing free trees to Allegheny County residents, the STEAM Outside Camp for youth, and signature fundraising events including Arbor Aid, Pawpaw Fest, and the Root Ball gala.

The organization operates as the only nonprofit in the Pittsburgh region dedicated exclusively to urban forestry and serves as a key member of the Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance, a coalition of more than 20 nonprofit organizations and government agencies. Through its co-management of the TreeVitalize Pittsburgh partnership with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Tree Pittsburgh has contributed to the planting of over 17,000 trees since 2008 across 22 communities, working toward a stated 20,000-tree regional goal. In 2023, the Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance secured a $9 million federal investment through the US Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry program under the Inflation Reduction Act, providing transformational capital for canopy expansion in Justice40 zones.

Tree Pittsburgh's revenue model is a diversified nonprofit mix combining individual donations (including a recurring Perennial Favorites program), foundation grants (Heinz Endowments, Richard King Mellon Foundation, Colcom Foundation, PNC Foundation), government funding (federal, state, county, municipal), signature event ticket revenue ($10-$175 per ticket across Pawpaw Fest, Arbor Aid, and Root Ball), merchandise sales through an online store, paid educational programming, and space rental at the Lawrenceville campus. Customer and beneficiary segments include the general public, underserved neighborhoods historically impacted by canopy inequity, youth and families, adult learners, and institutional partners across government and nonprofit sectors.

Name

Tree Pittsburgh

Legal name

Tree Pittsburgh

Website

https://treepittsburgh.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tree Pittsburgh is a Pittsburgh-based environmental nonprofit that grows and protects the urban forest across Allegheny County through tree planting, native-species cultivation, education, and neighborhood canopy initiatives, serving residents, underserved communities, and government partners from its 5-acre Lawrenceville campus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Urban Forestry Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Support Activities for Forestry (115310), Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products (1132)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Urban & Community Reforestation / Street Tree Planting (AFAMACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tree Planting & Transplanting (HSAIADAE), Tree Planting & Establishment Services (Manual/Mechanized) (AFAMACAE)

Keywords

• Urban forestry services
• Community tree planting
• Environmental nonprofit programs
• Tree nursery operations
• Urban forest education

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters. The organization offers Perennial Favorites recurring donation program and various giving options including stock donations, qualified charitable distributions from IRAs, donor-advised fund grants, and legacy gifts.
2. Annual Fundraising Events: Major annual events including Arbor Aid (celebration of trees with food, music, and fundraising), Root Ball (20th anniversary gala in 2026), and Autumn Art and Maker Mart vendor fair. Pawpaw Fest celebrates North America's largest native fruit.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of Tree Pittsburgh merchandise including logo t-shirts, recycled cotton tote bags, and botanical note cards through their online store.
4. Educational Programming: Revenue from educational programs including STEAM Outside Camp for youth (rising 4th-6th graders), Tree Tenders certification course, and various workshops and classes.
5. Space Rental: Rental of their sustainable, zero-waste venue for events, generating revenue while promoting their environmental mission.
6. Vehicle Donations: Accepts vehicle donations (cars, boats, RVs) as a giving option for supporters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Tree Pittsburgh is an environmental nonprofit that grows, plants, and cares for urban trees through community-driven programs. Core offerings include the Heritage Nursery (native tree propagation from locally-collected seeds), free Tree Adoption Program, community reforestation, the Tree Tenders volunteer certification course, neighborhood ReLeaf initiatives targeting underserved communities, youth education including STEAM Outside Camp, and event-based fundraising.

Product overview

Tree Pittsburgh is an environmental non-profit organization offering a comprehensive suite of urban forestry programs and services. The core offerings include the Heritage Nursery for tree cultivation and sales, community tree planting and reforestation programs, and the Tree Adoption Program providing free trees to residents. Educational programs span Youth Education & Schools, Adult Education, and the flagship Tree Tenders volunteer training course. Neighborhood-specific initiatives include ReLeaf Neighborhoods (Beltzhoover, California-Kirkbride, Homewood), Giving Grove for edible plantings, and Community Technical Support. Additional services include Young Tree Care, Urban Tree Canopy Data resources, and Space Rental at the campus venue. The organization hosts signature events including Arbor Aid (annual fundraiser), Pawpaw Fest (celebrating native fruit), Root Ball (anniversary gala), and STEAM Outside Camp (youth summer camp). The Tree Pittsburgh Arboretum serves as a living educational campus along the Allegheny River.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Heritage Nursery A nursery operation that grows and sells native trees and shrubs (including pawpaw trees and other native species) from locally-collected Western Pennsylvania seeds, supporting residential and community planting across Allegheny County.
• Tree Planting Programs Community-driven tree planting initiatives that restore, protect, and grow the urban tree canopy through partnerships with neighborhoods and volunteers across Allegheny County.
• Reforestation Program that plants trees in areas where natural growth has been hampered by non-native species, illegal dumping, or other disturbances.
• Tree Adoption Program Provides trees and shrubs at no cost to residents throughout Allegheny County during fall and spring planting seasons.
• Tree Tenders Flagship education course that teaches volunteers the basics of planting and caring for trees in urban environments, creating a network of trained tree stewards.
• STEAM Outside Camp Week-long day camp for rising fourth to sixth graders engaging youth in the urban forest through science, technology, engineering, arts, and math activities at Tree Pittsburgh's campus. Max 12 campers per session; scholarships available.
• Youth Education & Schools Environmental educational programming for students, schools, and community groups, delivered either at Tree Pittsburgh's campus or at schools.
• Adult Education Educational workshops and programs for adults focused on the urban forest and natural environment.
• ReLeaf Neighborhoods Neighborhood-specific tree planting initiatives including ReLeaf Beltzhoover, ReLeaf California-Kirkbride, and ReLeaf Homewood that create roadmaps for increasing tree canopy in underserved communities.
• Giving Grove Program providing fruit trees and edible plants to communities and neighborhoods for food access and community building.
• Community Technical Support Technical assistance for communities undertaking tree planting and urban forestry projects.
• Tree Care & Maintenance Professional tree care services including pruning, watering guidance, mulching, and general maintenance support for community trees, including Young Tree Care during the critical establishment period.
• Space Rental Event venue rental at Tree Pittsburgh's sustainable, zero-waste campus along the Allegheny River for community events and gatherings.
• Arbor Aid Annual fundraising event celebrating the urban forest with music, food, and community gathering at Tree Pittsburgh's campus ($45 per ticket, pay-it-forward generosity model).
• Pawpaw Fest Annual festival celebrating North America's largest native fruit, featuring fresh pawpaw samples, tree sales, guided walks, and family activities ($10 per ticket).
• Root Ball Annual gala event celebrating Tree Pittsburgh's anniversary and honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to urban forestry in Western Pennsylvania ($175 per ticket).
• Tree Pittsburgh Arboretum Five-acre arboretum along the Allegheny River featuring 40 unique tree species, educational trails, and over 700 planted trees serving as a living classroom.
• Gift A Tree Gifting program allowing individuals to dedicate a tree planting in honor or memory of someone, with trees planted in the community.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trees lower energy bills - evergreen trees reduce winter heating costs by blocking cold wind; cooling effect of one healthy tree equivalent to 10 room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours/day
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Pittsburgh Canopy AllianceflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 November 2023A working group of 20+ nonprofit organizations and government agencies from across Allegheny County committed to increasing equitable access to urban tree canopy. Tree Pittsburgh is a key member alongside Allegheny County Conservation District, Allegheny Goatscape, Allegheny Land Trust, Friends of the Riverfront, Landforce, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, UrbanKind Institute, and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Collectively awarded $8 million from US Forest Service through Inflation Reduction Act for community planning and workforce development.
• Western Pennsylvania ConservancyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-manages TreeVitalize Pittsburgh partnership, which has planted over 17,000 trees since 2008 with a goal of 20,000 trees. WPC serves as the managing partner for the initiative.
• Allegheny CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in TreeVitalize Pittsburgh initiative, contributing to urban tree planting across the county.
• City of PittsburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in TreeVitalize Pittsburgh and recipient of $1 million grant for vacant lots tree planting project to mitigate urban heat in underserved neighborhoods.
• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState partner and one of the top funders of the TreeVitalize Pittsburgh partnership.
• Davey Tree Expert CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of Arbor Aid 2023 and 2024 fundraising events. Major supporter of urban forestry initiatives.
• Jendoco Construction CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of Arbor Aid 2023 and 2024 fundraising events.
• Duquesne Light CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of Arbor Aid 2024 fundraising event.
• Penn BreweryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides craft beer for Arbor Aid events, supporting Tree Pittsburgh's fundraising.
• A Few Bad Apples CiderminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides cider for Arbor Aid events, supporting Tree Pittsburgh's fundraising efforts.
• Allegheny City BrewingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides pawpaw beer for Pawpaw Fest events.
• Allegheny County Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance working to increase urban tree canopy coverage.
• Allegheny GoatscapeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides goat grazing services for invasive species control at restoration sites including West Penn Park, Highland Park, and Emerald View parks.
• Pittsburgh Parks ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance for urban forest conservation and park tree planting.
• UrbanKind InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance focusing on urban sustainability and community development.
• LandforceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance working on urban land and green space initiatives.
• Friends of the RiverfrontminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance working on tree planting along riverfront areas including the Eliza Furnace Trail.
• Steel City GrazersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides goat and donkey herd for invasive species control through natural grazing at park restoration sites.
• Bartlett Tree ExpertsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer arborists who conducted structural pruning of 20 young trees in Allegheny Cemetery, demonstrating corporate volunteer commitment to urban forestry.
• Watersmith Guild PittsburghminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides paddleboarding activities for youth at STEAM Outside Camp on the Allegheny River.
• Functional RootsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner offering SEL-ebrate Nature Drop-off Summer Camp at Tree Pittsburgh for younger nature-lovers (rising kindergarten-second grade) in 2026.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Casey Trees: Washington DC-based nonprofit focused on planting, caring for, and advocating for the urban tree canopy. Closest functional peer to Tree Pittsburgh — same mission (urban forest protection/growth), same mix of planting, education (Tree Champion course analogous to Tree Tenders), and policy advocacy for a single metro.
• Sacramento Tree Foundation: Northern California nonprofit dedicated to growing and caring for urban tree canopy through planting, education, and advocacy. Directly comparable mission and program structure to Tree Pittsburgh at regional scale.
• New York Restoration Project: NYC-based nonprofit that plants trees, restores parks, and engages communities in environmental stewardship. Comparable urban-forestry nonprofit model with city-scale canopy expansion, including MillionTreesNYC legacy activities analogous to TreeVitalize Pittsburgh.
• Baltimore Tree Trust: Baltimore-based nonprofit working to increase the city's tree canopy through planting, education, and workforce development. Comparable neighborhood-level tree equity focus and youth/adult training model similar to Tree Pittsburgh's ReLeaf and Tree Tenders programs.
• TreePeople: Los Angeles-based environmental nonprofit dedicated to growing urban forests and inspiring communities. Direct comparable to Tree Pittsburgh in mission and program mix (community plantings, youth education, nursery operations, policy advocacy) but at materially larger scale.
• Friends of Trees: Portland/Oregon-based nonprofit that plants and cares for trees and native plants in urban and rural areas. Comparable program mix: community plantings, neighborhood-based projects, volunteer-driven stewardship, and eco-region-appropriate planting stock.
• Trees Atlanta: Atlanta-based nonprofit focused on planting, conserving, and educating about trees in the metro area. Comparable urban-canopy mission, neighborhood-scale planting programs, and adult education offerings akin to Tree Tenders.

Broad incumbents

• Arbor Day Foundation: National nonprofit focused on tree planting and stewardship; parent network (Alliance for Community Trees) that Tree Pittsburgh is a member of. Operates at much larger scale and broader geography, serving as the industry's broad incumbent and standards-setter rather than a direct metro competitor.

Regional players

• Western Pennsylvania Conservancy: Regional conservation nonprofit and TreeVitalize Pittsburgh managing partner. Co-anchor of large canopy initiatives with Tree Pittsburgh; broader land/conservation focus makes it a partner-and-adjacent peer rather than a direct competitor.
• Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy: Local Pittsburgh nonprofit focused on restoring and maintaining city parks. A direct co-member of the Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance with overlapping urban-tree-planting scope; broader parks mandate makes it adjacent rather than identical to Tree Pittsburgh.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/treepgh
• Facebookfacebook.com/treepittsburgh
• Instagraminstagram.com/treepgh
• Xx.com/treepgh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tree-pittsburgh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tree Pittsburgh