Athens-Clarke County, Georgia - Community Tree Program

The Landscape Management Division (LMD) of the Athens-Clarke County Central Services Department administers the Community Tree Program. The community forester (CF), a tree care professional working in the LMD, is responsible for coordinating the Community Tree Program, including public tree maintenance. There are many other departments and individuals who are involved in community tree management and are considered fundamental to the success of the Community Tree Program. The Community Tree Council and the Planning Department are two such partners who have a primary role in tree conservation and management.

The Community Tree Council is an active group of citizen volunteers who meet regularly. The LMD provides support services to the Community Tree Council and the community forester fills the role of council secretary. Each year the LMD develops a Community Tree Program annual work plan and budget based on that plan. The LMD also maintains a current inventory of public street trees that is used in the planning and budgeting processes.

The Community Tree Program also produced a best management practices guide for tree selection and placement, tree care and tree species selection.