Best ways to report tree problems:
If it’s truly an emergency (human injuries, sparking wires, dangerous conditions) call 911.
Otherwise call Philadelphia Parks& Recreation District Operations staff at 215.685.2576 or email all three of the following:
District Manager: crawford.clark@phila.gov
District Supervisor: gerald.white@phila.gov
District Arborist: jerome.ford@phila.gov
Best to email all three to ensure fastest response.
Also, please cc: Volunteer Coordinator david.bower@phila.gov. I can take care of some problems by myself or with volunteer help if District Staff is working elsewhere.
When you call 911 or call or email District Staff: Be prepared with an exact street address for the location of the problem.
If there’s a tree problem in the park, give the street address for the nearest residence. 911 operators can’t dispatch emergency crews without an exact street address.
Also please be prepared with as many details as possible: Tree hanging on wires, diameter of trunk, length of tree, property damage, any details that will help responders to locate and fix the problem.
Please also remember that whenever we have severe storms as we have had in recent weeks, emergency responses may be delayed due to the extreme volume of problems and due to manpower and equipment limitations. For example, our responses after Wednesday’s storm have been challenged by a power outage at District HQ. Power was still out this morning. Computers, phones, lights, etc. have all been out of service at various times. We also had a major problem in just getting to sites on Thursday as all area roads were either closed or extremely congested.
Consensus among most of us is that this week’s storms did more damage than any others in recent years. And. even though the last storm ended early Thursday morning, new problems are still developing. Trees and limbs are still falling, sinkholes are appearing, and mudslides are falling. It will take a long time to get back to normal.
Please keep us informed of anything that needs our attention. Also please exercise caution at all times in all of the parks.
– David S. Bower, Volunteer Coordinator
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
