Atlanta plans to add 8,000 more trees to downtown in the next 5 years

ATLANTA — The city of Atlanta is updating its “Tree Protection Ordinance.”

Phase one of the rewrite took effect on Thursday.

New amendments to the ordinance will double Downtown’s tree canopy with 8,000 trees over five years.

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The city said these amendments will help reduce energy costs, improve air and stormwater management and raise the quality of life for residents.

“As climate change continues to disproportionately impact urban environments, it is imperative that our City’s code is designed to protect and grow our tree canopy—our most powerful nature-based tool for climate resilience,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “The standards set in the updates to the Tree Protection Ordinance—coupled with initiatives like doubling Downtown’s tree canopy with 8,000 trees over five years and others—will further help reduce energy costs, improve our air and stormwater management and raise the overall quality of life for residents.”

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This is the first update to the ordinance in 22 years.

Phase 2 updates to the Tree Protection Ordinance are expected early this summer. Changes made in that phase are expected to includetree preservation, recompense, and an income-sensitive tree replacement program.

For more information, visit https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/departments/city-planning/tree-protection-ordinance

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