PA HB2161

Public utilities must offer replacement tree agreements to cities, municipalities, or municipal authorities when removing trees on municipal property for service reliability purposes

Replacement trees must be planted within two years of removal, with the municipality retaining the right to decline the agreement

Trees over five-inch caliper require replacement using a formula: the diameter at breast height is halved to determine the number of two-inch balled and burlapped replacement trees required

Municipalities choose the replacement species and planting locations for all replacement trees

Municipalities may alternatively request a cash replacement fee equal to the tree's value as assessed by a certified arborist, in lieu of physical tree replacement