Summary:

PennDOT’s use of flail mowers for roadside vegetation management is causing widespread and preventable damage to trees, wildlife habitat, and public safety across Pennsylvania. These practices do not align with nationally recognized ANSI A300 tree care standards and are leading to tree decline, environmental harm, and increased roadside hazards. This petition calls for immediate reform, responsible vegetation management, and the adoption of science-based tree care practices on public land.

 

 

PennDOT’s current roadside vegetation management practices—particularly the widespread use of flail mowers—are causing ongoing and preventable damage to trees, ecosystems, and public safety across Pennsylvania.

In our community, we have witnessed countless trees—both young and mature—severely damaged or pushed toward death due to improper maintenance methods. The repeated use of flail mowers is especially destructive, tearing bark, weakening limbs, and leaving trees vulnerable to disease, decay, and failure. These trees are vital members of our ecosystem and deserve proper care, not unnecessary destruction.

PennDOT is responsible for maintaining roadside vegetation, yet its current practices do not align with ANSI A300 tree care standards, the nationally recognized guidelines that outline proper pruning and vegetation management. These standards are already followed by utility companies and professional arborists to ensure trees are maintained safely, correctly, and sustainably—protecting both tree health and public safety.

Trees play a critical role in our environment. They produce oxygen, reduce ozone levels, prevent erosion, stabilize soil, manage stormwater, and provide essential habitat for wildlife and pollinators. When trees are improperly maintained, the consequences extend far beyond aesthetics—resulting in long-term environmental damage, increased infrastructure costs, and hazardous roadside conditions.

Science-based, responsible alternatives to indiscriminate flail mowing already exist. Other states and countries have modernized their roadside vegetation policies to reduce costs, protect ecosystems, and improve safety. Pennsylvania should not lag behind.

This petition urgently calls on PennDOT and state lawmakers to:

Immediately review and revise roadside flail mowing practices

Adopt ANSI A300 tree care standards for all roadside vegetation management

Provide proper training for maintenance crews on safe, professional pruning techniques

Halt unnecessary mowing and pruning that causes irreversible environmental harm

Increase transparency and public accountability in roadside vegetation decisions

Pennsylvania’s roadsides are public land. Continued environmental degradation, tree loss, and safety risks caused by outdated and improper practices are unacceptable.

We urge PennDOT to act now to protect our trees, our communities, and our environment. Please sign this petition to demand responsible, science-based roadside vegetation management.