Fulton County
Tree removal in Atlanta, Georgia
Since 2016 the National Weather Service has logged 28 storm reports near Atlanta whose damage notes mention trees, with gusts as strong as 64 mph. Here is who decides about a tree in Atlanta, whom to call when one is on a line, and the record behind it.
- 28storm reports naming trees near Atlanta
- 64 mphtop gust in those reports
- 2 mifrom Five Points
Free, and you are not committing to anything. The tree service sets the price after seeing the tree.
Who decides about a tree in Atlanta
Atlanta decides by trunk size and by the tree’s condition.
City of Atlanta, private property
| Hardwood 6 in. across or larger | Permit |
|---|---|
| Pine 12 in. across or larger | Permit |
| Dead, dying or hazardous | City arborist inspects first, no charge |
| Tree falling now, after a storm | Photograph it, call; permit can follow |
| Tree already on the ground | No permit |
Measured 4.5 feet above the ground. Trees on city land or in the right-of-way belong to Parks and Recreation; the city does not remove trees on private land.
Source: ATL311
A tree that has already fallen, a tree on a line and a tree on a house have their own steps: tree on the house, tree on a line.
If a tree is on a power line
Call the utility before anyone else; your bill says which one it is. Across Fulton County, federal service-territory records list Georgia Power, City of College Park, City of East Point, City of Fairburn, City of Palmetto, Cobb Electric Membership Corp, Coweta-Fayette El Member Corp, GreyStone Power Corporation, Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation.
Georgia Power: 1-888-891-0938, or 911 to have a downed line blocked off. Co-op and city customers: the outage number on the bill.
Atlanta on record
Storm reports near Atlanta
| Since 2016, naming trees | 28 |
|---|---|
| Latest | Aug 21, 2025; Jun 7, 2025; Mar 5, 2025 |
| Top gust | 64 mph (estimated) |
Source: NOAA Storm Events
All of Fulton County
| Thunderstorm wind reports since 2016 | 174 |
|---|---|
| Naming trees | 167 |
| Tornadoes | 10 |
Fulton County: rules, utilities, cities
Source: NOAA Storm Events
FEMA hazard ratings for Fulton County
| Hurricanes | Relatively low |
|---|---|
| Ice storms | Relatively high |
| Strong wind | Relatively high |
| Tornadoes | Relatively high |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index
Homes in Atlanta
| Occupied homes | 231,500 |
|---|---|
| Single-family, detached | 4 in 10 |
| Lived in by the owner | 5 in 10 |
| Typical year built | 1987 |
Renters outnumber owners here. A tree at a rented home is normally the owner’s call and the owner’s cost; check the lease, then tell the landlord in writing.
Source: Census ACS 2019–2023
Freezing nights a year
| 32°F or colder | 52 |
|---|---|
| 20°F or colder | 4 |
| Weather station | 6 mi away |
Source: NOAA Climate Normals
Questions worth reading in Atlanta
- What happens on the callmost homes are rented: the owner usually decides
- Permitsthe city permits most removals
- After a storm28 storm reports naming trees near Atlanta
- Tree on a power lineFEMA rates ice storms relatively high here
- Dead tree
- Choosing a tree service
Calling about a tree in Atlanta
The number connects you with an independent tree service that works in Atlanta. Say where the tree is, what it is on or near and whether it is standing or down.
(866) 332-0795Free call · answered 24/7Map of Atlanta
Nearby cities
- East Point 7 mi
- Decatur 7 mi
- Brookhaven 8 mi
- College Park 9 mi
- Smyrna 9 mi
- Mableton 10 mi
- Forest Park 11 mi
- Chamblee 11 mi