Custom Steel Tree Guard Projects in NYC

Urban Garden Center designs, builds and installs custom steel tree guards for NYC sidewalk tree pits. One team handles all of it: design, fabrication, the NYC Parks permit, delivery and installation.

To start, share the project location, approximate tree-pit dimensions, the style you like, and any photos or sketches. We reply to every inquiry within 72 hours.

Cross-pattern steel tree guards on several tree pits along an NYC block, with an Urban Garden Center truck parked behind.
Cross-pattern guards on several tree pits along one block. Final style, dimensions, site requirements, and specifications are confirmed for each project after review.

What we handle

  • Design, based on your site and the style you choose
  • Steel fabrication to NYC Parks specifications
  • The NYC Parks Tree Work Permit application
  • Delivery and installation

Standard specifications

  • Height: 18 inches
  • Configuration: 3-sided, as standard. NYC Parks can approve 4-sided guards in some locations, such as No Standing zones, trees set back in the middle of the sidewalk, bus stops and tree pits next to bike lanes.
  • Posts: 2-inch steel vertical posts. We quote hollow posts unless you ask for solid. The price differs, and we can quote both.
  • Finish: 3 shop-applied coats of matte black exterior-grade paint

Custom designs are welcome, as long as they meet NYC Parks size specifications.

Final dimensions and specifications are confirmed for each site after review.

Recent tree guard work

Custom steel tree guard with a circle pattern and brass finials around a planted NYC sidewalk tree pit.
Circle-pattern guard with brass finials around a planted tree pit.
Custom steel tree guard installed around a New York City sidewalk tree pit.
Picket-style 3-sided guard in matte black.

Start with your project details

If available, include:

  • Project address or neighborhood
  • Number of tree pits, and the approximate length and width of each
  • The style you like (see the style reference below) and solid posts if you want them instead of hollow, or a sketch of your own design
  • Photos or a sketch of the site

How project review works

  1. Send the project details that are available now.
  2. Urban Garden Center reviews the request and replies within 72 hours about next steps.
  3. Price, site requirements, approvals, delivery, installation, and final specifications are confirmed after review.
  4. We apply for the NYC Parks Tree Work Permit, then fabricate, deliver and install your guard.

NYC Parks permit and requirements

NYC Parks states that a Tree Work Permit is required before a tree guard is installed. Urban Garden Center applies for the permit for you, and every guard is built to NYC Parks specifications. You can read the current requirements on the NYC Parks site.

On some projects, tree guards are required as part of the work. Even when another City agency asks for the guards, NYC Parks is the agency that has to approve them.

Review NYC Parks tree guard requirements

Street trees and seasonal plantings

Tree guards are one part of what we do for NYC sidewalks.

  • Street trees: we plant street trees to NYC Parks Department specifications and handle everything from the permit to the installation.
  • Seasonal plantings: we plant tree beds with seasonal flowers and can maintain them through the year.

Mention either one in your Tree Guard inquiry, and we'll include it in your project review.

Urban Garden Center also reviews Garden Services inquiries for garden installations and maintenance, hardscaping, irrigation, low-voltage lighting, custom planters, decking, and fencing.

Explore Garden Installation Services in NYC

Tree Guard Style Reference

The illustrated types (A, B, C, D and K) are reference designs for custom steel tree guard projects in NYC. Custom designs are also possible, as long as they meet NYC Parks size specifications. Reference only; final style, dimensions, site requirements, and specifications are confirmed after review.

Reference drawings of custom steel tree guard configurations for New York City tree pits.

Note: 2-inch vertical posts come hollow or solid. Quotes are for hollow posts unless you ask for solid.

Questions before you inquire

Do you handle the NYC Parks permit? Yes. We apply for the Tree Work Permit as part of the project.

Solid or hollow posts? Both are 2-inch steel vertical posts. We quote hollow posts unless you ask for solid. They're priced differently, and we're happy to quote both.

What should I send? A project address or neighborhood, the number and approximate size of the tree pits, the style you like, and photos or a sketch are helpful when available.

When are price and specifications confirmed? Urban Garden Center confirms price, site requirements, approvals, delivery, installation, and final specifications after review.

Can you build a custom design? Yes, as long as it meets NYC Parks size specifications. Send a sketch or a photo of the look you want, or pick one of the styles above.

Can I get a 4-sided guard? Standard guards are 3-sided with the curbside open. NYC Parks can approve 4-sided guards in some locations, such as No Standing zones, trees set back in the middle of the sidewalk, bus stops and tree pits next to bike lanes. We'll tell you what your site allows.

Another agency asked for tree guards on my project. Who approves them? NYC Parks. Tree guards need NYC Parks approval and a Tree Work Permit, whichever agency asked for them. We apply for the permit for you.

Do you plant street trees and tree beds too? Yes. We plant street trees to NYC Parks specifications, from permit to installation, and plant tree beds with seasonal flowers, with maintenance available.