No one is planning for Atlanta’s future tree canopy because there is no Master Plan.

Section 158-63(5) states that the Tree Conservation Commission is to consult with the city forester in the preparation of the master plan for the trees in the city. Most cities have a master plan which include tree inventories, recommended species of trees, future planning, and attention to special sections of the city, like watersheds, that need tree attention. Although the Tree Conservation Commission has, within the last two years, contracted satellite imaging of the city trees, Atlanta is doing no overall tree planning. There is no master plan.

Sec. 158-63(5) Providing consultation and assistance to the city forester in the preparation of the master plan required pursuant to this article.

Master Plan Status Update

February 2, 2019: According to the Reporter Newspapers, Elizabeth Johnson, Project Manager with the Department of Planning, said "the ordinance dictates that the Parks Department is in charge of that master plan, and the city Arborist Division will be 'supportive' of it."

Our Response:

We are asking both the Parks Department and the Tree Conservation Commission to prepare a master plan for the trees in the City. However, given that 90% of the trees in Atlanta are on private property, and therefore, fall under the purview of the Arborist Division, the Arborist Division needs to support the creation of that plan by providing data on the state of our tree canopy. That data doesn't exist, however, because the Arborist Division doesn't produce any quarterly reports.