FAQs

Site Selection

We determine planting sites based on a few factors: requests from homeowners and community members, areas with low tree canopy cover, locations with planting space for more trees, and partnerships with community groups, organizations, and businesses.

As part of our planning process, we connect with the community members and local leadership for their feedback, support, and/or approval, as well as obtain approval from local municipalities or partners as needed.

We prioritize community requests; the bulk of our plantings are initiated by these.

Species Selection

Many factors affect the types of trees we plant: available growth space, condition of the site (e.g.,, the volume of traffic, structures around, and soil conditions, etc.), intended use of site (e.g., providing shade, flowering beauty, edible fruit, etc.), what is available at our nurseries, tracking what has survived or died in the past, and what the neighborhood wants — this is community forestry after all!

Our goal is to select the right tree for the right place. Wherever possible, we plant native canopy trees when conditions allow it as well as mid-story/understory trees where space is an issue. We plant non-native tree species if and when their selection is the most approprite or feasible. Our planting palette is continuously reviewed and adjusted.

Trees Atlanta plants trees from October through March – cooler weather months.

While one can “technically” plant a tree anytime of the year, to give trees a higher chance of surviving and adapting to its new environment, planting during these cooler months is preferred and recommended. 

On the other hand, planting trees during warmer/hot months is possible, but it requires additional and frequent watering and care. Trees may struggle to establish as heat and drought conditions can be stressful for newly planted trees.

From April through September, we switch our focus to tree care and maintenance. Our Forest Restoration work continues year-round.

We plant trees on behalf of the City of Atlanta, and most street trees — or right-of-way (ROW) trees — are “public trees” that belong to the City of Atlanta (or the city or county where we have planted). We can help to address pruning needs for young trees Trees Atlanta has planted, but most pruning and tree care requests for mature trees should be sent to the City of Atlanta or your local jurisdication.

Street Trees Need Pruning

There are a few options you could pursue depending on which trees they are:

1. New trees planted by Trees Atlanta. After we plant new trees, Trees Atlanta will care for them for its first two years, including watering, mulching, and pruning. We may continue to prune new trees as needed for a few more years to ensure they have the best form to continue growing to maturity even in high traffic areas.

• If you find a looped tag on a lower branch (tag will be numbered and labeled Trees Atlanta), it is one of our trees, but sometimes the tags fall off over time. 
• If you think the trees have been planted by Trees Atlanta within the last 2 years or so, please submit your information here so that we can schedule a visit: Tree Care Request
• Look up our Tree Inventory. All trees planted by Trees Atlanta in the last ten years (and some older) are found on this interactive map.

2. Trees on city-owned property. Most trees on public (city-owned) property, including parks and right-of-way planting strips near streets, are cared for by the City of Atlanta Department of Parks & Recreation (Office of Parks). If trees on city-owned property are in need of care or you would like to report an issue, please contact the city.

• Office of Parks (Department of Parks & Recreation) – Call 404-546-6813 or email parkscustomerservice@atlantaga.gov
• Alternatively, you may choose to report the issue via atl311.com or call 311. Using 311 creates a tracking number that you can reference for any follow up as necessary.

3. Trees on private property. If a tree is located in your yard or other residential/commercial property, it is the responsibility of the property owner to address their tree care issues. Here are some tips to help you find the right tree care professional:

• How to Select an Arborist – Before engaging in any tree work, it is prudent to seek advice from an ISA-certified arborist. The desirable solution to your concerns may include strategic pruning, treatment, and other approaches if a tree is in need of further care and maintenance.

Improper Pruning Can Destroy a Tree

• Tree removal may be avoided with proper care. A trained arborist will follow industry standards for tree care and abide by local tree protection ordinances, such as ensuring home owners have proper permits that are approved prior to tree removal or significant pruning. Keep in mind that the homeowner (not the tree company) is subject to fees and fines if local ordinances are not followed.
• Keep in mind that removing more than 25% of the tree canopy is not typical and can cause permanent damage or destruction of the tree. More information on pruning mature trees is provided from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the association of tree care professionals.
• If you suspect improper pruning that may lead to tree destruction, please document the action with photographs along with property address and tree service company name, as known. Immediately contact the Arborist Division.

Whose property is it anyway? In the City of Atlanta, this website provides a convenient way to look up the property owner where the tree is located: City of Atlanta Property Information

It’s important for us to select native species whenever possible, so it naturally makes sense the nurseries we purchase from would also be within our growing region. We source our trees from local and regional nurseries (mainly in Georgia, but also Florida and Tennessee) that sell wholesale to us. 

Wholesalers typically do not sell directly to consumers.

In the Atlanta, there are several local merchants who carry good selections of native tree and plant species. When searching for local nurseries, include the keyword “native plant” or “native species”.

Before engaging in any tree work, it is prudent to seek advice from an ISA-certified arborist.

We recommend that a qualified tree expert be contacted to assess the health of your tree. Use good judgement before accepting any visual assessment of whether a tree “looks” healthy or not from individuals who are not specifically trained for tree care. See below for tips on hiring a qualified tree care company.

• Review our Resource: How to Select an Arborist
• Trees Atlanta does not perform tree inspections or provide tree services for private hire. Our work is centered on community (public) trees and organized through partnerships with cities, counties, and community groups.
• Lawn care or landscaping companies are not necessarily tree care experts. We prefer those that have ISA-certified arborists on staff; ask for their certification number.
• Georgia Arborist Association offers a directory of ISA-certified arborists.

Consulting Arborists and Tree Care Companies

As you research options for tree care, there are two types of services you may want to consider:

• Consulting arborists can evaluate tree condition and health, as well as connect you with appropriate tree service companies. They can develop tree care plans, including strategic pruning, disease identification, and other remediation steps to ensure that trees thrive. Assessments of tree health or hazard can be conducted by a consulting arborist. Typically, consulting arborists do not do the work of removing trees (if that’s what is required) although they can refer you to other service providers.
• Tree companies are not required to have any specialized training in Georgia, although many do hire and train professionals with proper credentials. Tree care, especially pruning and tree removal, can have significant impact on your trees and property. Before making this important investment, we recommed that you verify the company holds a valid business license and employees are ISA-Certified (to indicate proper training and relevant expertise), or hold other equivalent certification.

Preventative Care and Maintenance are Important 

The desirable solution to your concerns may include strategic pruning, treatment, and other approaches if a tree is in need of further care and maintenance. Tree removal may be avoided with proper care. A trained arborist will follow industry standards for tree care and abide by local tree protection ordinances, such as ensuring home owners have proper permits that are approved prior to tree removal.

Keep in mind that the homeowner (not the tree company) is subject to fees and fines if local ordinances are not followed.

Tip: Companies that offer to “top” or prune more than 25-50% of tree canopy may not be fully trained on proper tree care. Improper pruning of trees can lead to significant or irreversible damage to trees, including eventual death of the tree.

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Young Trees

Test a branch or the trunk by scratching it with your fingernail. If you see green underneath, the tree is alive!

Newly planted trees can be stressed from the shock of transplanting from pot to a new location, the weather, a lack of watering, etc. If the trees has been planted properly, your tree is not necessarily dead. It may take a season or more for the tree to recover. Water new trees regularly, especially if there has been no rain more than a couple of weeks during warm seasons and mulch a ring around the base of the tree.

If your scratch test reveals brown or brittle branches, starting from an upper branch and keep scratching lower on the limb or down the trunk until you see green. Cut above the green and preserve new growth. Take care as you prune young trees to preserve proper form and ensure structural strength as the tree growns. Read our online Resource: How to Care for Your Trees

Large Mature Trees

Trees that are well established and large require specilized attention from a trained arborist. Visual signs such as bare branches or large wounds or cavities in the trunk can indicate distress, but are not necessarily signs the tree is dead. Limbs may periodically drop, and causes vary by species. Strategic pruning, proper care, and/or prescriptive tree care can improve tree health or manage risk. Read our online Resource: How to Select an Arborist

Trees that are covered in vines, such as kudzu or English ivy, are not dead… yet. Aggressive overgrowth of treetops by invasive vines can create unhealthy scenarios, such as lack of sunlight, excessive weight from wind or water, that can kill trees over time or cause them to fall. Make sure you remove climbing invasive vines off your trees! Read our online Resource: Atlanta’s Top Invasive Plants (A to Z) Expanded List

Reporting Dead Trees

Although ​Trees Atlanta leads tree planting and care projects​ throughout the metro Atlanta area, we do not own the property​ nor any tree​. Trees along streets are typically “public trees” and maintained by the city. 

• EXCEPTION: If a NEW tree that was recently planted by Trees Atlanta is damaged, dead, or requires attention, we will address tree care needs while the tree is establishing (generally, in its first few years). Trees planted by Trees Atlanta will typically have a inventory “ring” around one of its lower branches.
• Report tree care request for new trees planted by Trees Atlanta: Tree Care Request

Mature (big) Trees

The owner of the tree is the owner of the land in which the tree trunk is located. Dead or downed trees should be reported to the land owner. ​

• Public property. Is this tree on the margin between the street and sidewalk? The tree is probably on city property if it is. In the City of Atlanta, all trees in public/city property are managed by the Department of Parks & Recreation (Office of Parks). Call 404-546-6813 or email parkscustomerservice@atlantaga.gov
• Private property. If the tree is/was growing in someone’s yard (or other private property), the owner of that property should be contacted. Issues regarding improper or illegal removal or damage to trees should be reported to the Arborist Division (Department of City Planning). Call 404-330-6874 or email arborist.dpcd@atlantaga.gov

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The city posts all current information and documents related to the Tree Protection Ordinance (TPO) on its website under the Department of City Planning, Arborist Division.

Trees Atlanta has also created a Resource page “How to Save a Tree” which you might find helpful.

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We offer several types of volunteer opportunities to suit various levels of interest, skills, and abilities. Most of our volunteer projects require outdoor, physical work; however, there are many volunteer opportunties for those who can assist in office and administrative support, assist setting up or helping at events, and other creative ways including taking photos, welcoming guests, or other ways your unique talent can help us deliver our mission.

There are Volunteer Pathways to acquire advanced skills in a variety of functions, including becoming a Certified Volunteer. Learn more about our volunteer opportunities here.

Start by completing the new volunteer form here. Once your application is submitted, you’ll be able to register for individual volunteer opportunities through our web calendar.

Yes. Take note of requirements for volunteers younger than 18-years-old:

• Individuals aged 16- and 17-years-old who participate on their own must have a parent or guardian sign our liability waiver on their behalf and bring it with them to the project.
• Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire duration of the event.
• If the child requires a record of their attendance (e.g., for school records, etc.), the chaperoning adult and the child should be registered under their own names individually as separate registrations.

Based on the type of project, here are some recommended age limits for parent or guardians to safely chaperone younger volunteers:

• Tree planting and meadow plantings: All ages (children must be supervised at all times, particularly near roadways and tools)
• Tree care and forest restoration projects: 12 and up (may include use of cutting tools)

Adults who wish to volunteer with very small children may consider opportunities with our education team. Education events require volunteers, including storytime reading, family time activities, arts and craft, and other events.

Yes. View our Volunteer page for more information.

Upcoming events are posted to our website calendar here.

You can also stay up-to-date on upcoming events by following us on social media or signing up for our monthly email newsletters.

Please reach out to education@treesatlanta.org. 

Check your event registration confirmation email. A contact name and email will be included in the email.

Tribute Trees

Yes. We offer a variety of packages to plant a tree in someone’s honor. Learn more about Tribute Trees here.

Trees Atlanta is recognized as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to organizations with 501(c)(3) status may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax advisor to determine deductibility of your contribution. (

Tax ID/EIN: 58-1584758

Our funding comes from a variety of sources including individual and corporate donations, grants, municipal contracts, and fundraisers, including our Native Plant Sale, Annual Tree Sale, and Root Ball.  View our Financial Documents and Reports.

Trees Atlanta’s strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency have earned 4-star ratings (“Exceptional”) from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. View our rating.

To donate online, please select the option that best fits your gift: here.

To mail or drop off your donation, our office address, hours, and map are found here: mailing address

Thanks for considering this, but due to the specifications that most cities require of us, we cannot accept this tree donation. Trees Atlanta does not accept trees or seedlings as donations.

Although Trees Atlanta cannot take these trees, perhaps these tips can help.

• Consider offering them to neighbors or friends. It’s nice to be able to visit your living gift for years to come!
  
  
• Some community gardens or groups organize “plant swaps”. You may find these types of plant donations exactly what they are looking for!
  
  
• Some new trees can grow as suckers from the base or root of trees. When removing these new trees, take care to minimize damage to the root of the host tree. Plant the suckers in pots until they establish, then replant.
• Wait until fall or winter to move your tree if you can. Moving trees while they are dormant can increase their chance of survival.

• Before digging, research at what size and whether the particular species likes to be moved (some don’t, like most nut trees). Others have tap roots that greatly decrease the likelihood of a successful move.
• Do keep in mind that larger trees with established root systems can be very difficult (or impossible) to move without heavy machinery. Consult a tree company if you have a larger cherished tree that you wish to move and preserve.
  

Lastly, keep in mind that trees over a certain size typically cannot be removed (destroyed) without an approved permit from your local jurisdiction. For example, in the City of Atlanta, trees 6” diameter at breast height (DBH) and 12″ DBH for pines or larger require a tree removal permit prior to destruction.