Help with Hazardous and Dead Trees in Atlanta

Who is responsible for the care of trees?

In the City of Atlanta, property owners are responsible for the management of the trees on their property, including pruning, prescriptive care, or removal of hazardous or dead trees.

Dead or damaged trees can be a safety risk if not addressed in a proper manner. Tree health and assessment of risk should be evaluated by a trained tree care professional. Follow our guidelines on How to Select an Arborist to find a tree care professional who can help with trees on your property, or report tree issues for public trees to the city.

Trees on Public Property

City parks and facilities are owned by the city, and trees on that land are regarded as “public trees.” This includes trees in the public right-of-way (ROW), commonly the strip of land between roads and sidewalks or in some cases within a certain distance from the street.

Maintenance issues, including pruning or removal of public trees is handled by the city. You can report maintenance issues through 311 or contacting the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Report any of the following in the ROW or a public park:

  • Mature tree with large limbs that need pruning
  • Dead or damaged trees
  • Stumps in ROW areas (these areas can be identified for new trees to be planted)

Contact:

  • 311 – call 311 or submit a request online at atl311.com
  • Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation Customer Service – call (404) 546-6813 or email ParksCustomerService@atlantaga.gov

Include in your report:

  • Closest address to the tree (nearby street address, cross roads, etc)
  • Tree condition (stump, dead tree, or mature tree with dead limbs)
  • Your contact information
  • Photographs are helpful

What to expect:

  1. A City arborist will inspect the tree within 45 business days of your report.
  2. If the tree needs to be removed, it will be removed within an additional 45 business days.

Trees on Your Property

Homeowners and other private property owners, including apartment complexes, businesses, and other commercial lots, are responsible for managing trees on their land. These trees are regarded as “private trees.” There are specific requirements for any new construction regarding removal or replanting of trees, and property owners should seek the advise of qualified tree care professionals to determine the best method of continued care or removal.

Trees on any proprty that is determined and verified as dead, dying, or hazardous (DDH) can be removed after receiving an approved permit for tree removal from the city Arborist Division.

Financial Help for Seniors in Need

Residents of the City of Atlanta who meet age and need requirements may qualify for financial assistance to prune hazardous limbs to reduce risk or remove dead trees on their property through the Tree Removal Assistance Program (TRAP). This program is administered by the Georgia Arborist Association in partnership with the City of Atlanta.

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be 65 or older
  • Have a household income of $40,000 or less
  • Receive a qualifying City of Atlanta low-income senior homestead exemptio

Requirements:

  • Tree must have an approved DDH removal permit
  • Applications may apply for a one-time award to cover the cost of tree removal
  • Funds have an annual limit, not all applications may be approved
  • For each DDH tree removed, a new tree will be replanted on the property at no cost to the owner

(View full requirements on the GAA online application.)

Learn More

After decades or centuries of growth, mature trees provide the highest levels of important benefits to the community in which they grow. Keep in mind that hazards may be mitigated without destroying or removing a tree. Regular care, such as preventative pruning, removing invasive vines, watering during prolonged or severe droughts, and protecting the roots of your mature trees can helps to keep trees healthy long into the future.

If you suspect a tree is being removed illegally, please contact the Arborist Divsion right away! Here is some additional information on how to save a tree.

Please help us care for the trees that do so much for our health and well-being.