Contractor Tree Planting

Every year, Trees Atlanta volunteers grab their shovels and plant thousands of trees in dozens of Atlanta neighborhoods, but sometimes it takes more than a shovel and a strong back to plant a tree.

Through partnerships such as the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, Atlanta Gas Light, Fulton County, Department of Public Works, and a host of other clients and grants, Trees Atlanta is able to supplement its volunteer efforts with professional plantings by contractors who are equipped with heavy equipment such as concrete saws to cut tree wells in sidewalks and tree spades to lift and plant larger trees. The locations for these contractor plantings include (but are not limited to) sidewalks, parks, green-spaces, and public right-of-ways.

Contractors unloading trees to be planted in the downtown area.


1. Connecting tree wells to greenspace using structural soil	2. Structural soil must be installed in several layers.

3. Each layer is compacted to support sidewalks or roadways	4. Structural soil allows for roots to penetrate easily while supporting structural loads

5. Pouring sidewalk back

One of Trees Atlanta's initiatives is to plant trees along major traffic corridors - North Avenue, Metropolitan Parkway, Boulevard, and others. Not only will these new trees beautify Atlanta roads and highways, but research has shown that street trees decrease the speed of traffic, reduce the noise and air pollution from cars and trucks, and encourage pedestrians to walk along roadways.

Trees Atlanta also considers how well a particular tree species tolerates urban conditions - and continually endeavors to find the right mix of tree species for Atlanta's busiest areas. The right tree for the right location is important. While loblolly pines, oaks, and elms perform best only in public right-of-ways without power lines, understory trees like crape myrtles and redbuds are better choices underneath power lines. Selecting the right tree for the right place keeps trees safe and healthy so that they may grow to their full potential and provide innumerable benefits to all those who live, work in, and visit Atlanta.

Trees Atlanta's contractor trees are maintained by the Urban Forestry Crew for up to three years to ensure establishment in harsh urban environments. Maintenance includes fertilization, mulching, watering, and pruning to promote long-term structural health.

For questions, or to suggest potential tree locations, contact Director of Operations Linc Weis.