SERVING THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF DRUID HILLS

A COMMUNITY NESTLED IN THE HEART OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA


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TREE PRESERVATION

updated February 2021

One of the most iconic things about Atlanta, and Druid Hills in particular, is its incredible tree canopy. Olmsted designed our neighborhood with its beautiful landscape foremost in mind. Read more about his work here! 

As a landscape architect, mature trees and native plantings were important to him, and in turn, to us. Here is our guide to conserving our wonderful trees and a comprehensive list of plantings that Olmsted liked to use, as well as other native plants that will thrive in our community. 

TREE REMOVAL IN DRUID HILLS

Although preserving our trees is extremely important to us, we also know that it is sometimes necessary to remove them. Residents who wish to remove trees in Druid Hills have to follow different ordinances according to whether their property falls within unincorporated DeKalb or City of Atlanta.

UNINCORPORATED DEKALB

Homeowners must get a permit if they want to take down more than 5 small trees, or ANY tree that is greater than 8 inches in diameter when measured at 4.5 ft off the ground. If a permit is necessary, they must apply for one with the county arborist. See the links below for guidance from DeKalb County's arborist.

TREE REMOVAL GUIDE  •  DEKALB COUNTY'S HOMEOWNERS GUIDE TO TREE CARE

CITY OF ATLANTA

In the Landmark District of Druid Hills, a COA is needed to remove any tree with a caliper of 4 or greater. In other parts of Atlanta a resident can pay financial compensation to remove a larger tree but in the Landmark District any tree removed has to be replaced by an acceptable species with a caliper of 1.5 or greater. 

There is a new city Tree Protection Ordinance in the works right now. We will provide further guidance when it becomes available. 


FREE TREES for Front Yards 

September 2021

Help the DHCA meet its goal to maintain our neighborhood tree canopy and get a new tree for your yard!  Visit www.treesatlanta.org/yardtree for more details and to submit a request.  Once you submit your request, someone from Trees Atlanta will contact you to confirm your choices and to coordinate your planting.  Please note: A $25.00 application fee applies for residents in Unincorporated DeKalb County.

The DHCA is working with Trees Atlanta to promote this program, which is funded by local governments throughout Metro Atlanta.  Trees Atlanta will keep track of Druid Hills residents who submit a request by November 15, 2021 to help gauge interest for future planting projects in Druid Hills, so submit your request now!

REBUILDING THE TREE CANOPY IN UNINCORPORATED DEKALB

January 2021

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved ReLeaf DeKalb, a tree-planting program that partners with Trees Atlanta.
DeKalb homeowners will have an inexpensive option to add shade and beauty to their front yard this fall and winter. Residents in unincorporated DeKalb County can have a overstory tree professionally planted in their front yard for only $25.00. DeKalb hopes to have 400 trees planted over the first two years of the program, with 100 trees reserved for rights-of-way in commercial corridors and other County-owned properties.


CONTACT US

DRUID HILLS CIVIC ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 363, Decatur, GA 30031

mail@druidhills.org
druidhills.org

©2020 Druid Hills Civic Association.  | Druid Hills Civic Association, Inc. is a Georgia non-profit corporation. 

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