Urban Forestry Program
Sandy Springs Urban Forestry Program
Trees and the natural environment in general are a priority for the Sandy Springs community and Policy GS-D1 from the Next Ten Comprehensive Plan reflects this: “Preserve and enhance the tree canopy: Establish and implement an aggressive program to protect, renew and expand Sandy Springs’ tree canopy”.
Urban Forestry Operations and Policies
The City of Sandy Springs is committed to the proactive stewardship of its urban forest. Through operational initiatives, regulatory frameworks, and community engagement, the City aims to enhance canopy coverage, protect native biodiversity, and ensure the long-term health of public and private trees. The Urban Forestry Division administers key programs and funding mechanisms that support these environmental sustainability goals.
Tree Fund (Sandy Springs Tree Bank)
Established under Section 8.3.8.C of the City’s Development Code, the Tree Fund—commonly referred to as the Sandy Springs Tree Bank—finances activities that support tree canopy restoration and preservation. The fund is managed by the Urban Forest Coordinator in accordance with City Council-approved policies.
Canopy Study and Inventory
The city has conducted several tree canopy studies over the years. Since 2013, the canopy has been estimated every two years. In 2021, the city acquired vegetation data that was derived using AI techniques. We compared the traditional pixel classification output to the AI data for 2017 and 2021. We found that the AI-derived canopy had a much higher accuracy rate when looking at the control or QC points. In 2023 and 2025, only AI data was used in the canopy studies.
- Year 2013 (Pixel Classification): 58.7%
- Year 2015 (Pixel Classification): 58.5%
- Year 2017 (Pixel Classification): 60.3% / (AI-derived): 56.5%
- Year 2019 (Pixel Classification): 58.1%
- Year 2021 (Pixel Classification): 58.1% / (AI-derived): 55%
- Year 2023 (AI-derived): 54.5%
The Recreation and Parks Department oversees the planting and maintenance of all the trees on City-owned property, such as street trees and those in public parks. In addition to the citywide canopy study, the City commissioned surveys of all the individual trees on public property. The surveys are conducted by experienced arborists and collect data on each trees such as species, size and health condition. This information is used to create management plans and identify areas for new plantings.
The City is updating its inventory and developing a new landing page, allowing our residents the opportunity to interact with, and educate themselves on, our urban forest, and all of the ecosystem services it provides. Please check back soon for more details.
The City has planted more than 3,000 trees since 2018, to learn more about where they are located and what types of trees you will find, visit this Tree Map.
Ecosystem Services - The Benefits of Trees
Trees provide numerous ecosystem services and social benefits:
- Leaves dissipate rainfall, absorb some of the moisture and slowdown runoff
- Trees provide a natural cooling effect in the hottest months of the year, generating savings in air conditioning, when located appropriately
- Roots help maintain soil health and prevent erosion
- Certain plant species can improve air quality by collecting dust on their leaves and capturing some air pollutants, all produce oxygen from photosynthesis
- Provide habitat to wildlife – shelter and food
- The canopy dampens ambient noise and reduces noise pollution
- The presence of trees positively impact mental and physical health
- Trees can significantly improve aesthetics and increase property values
Major Forest Patches in Sandy Springs
Metro Atlanta is located in the Piedmont region, the foothills of the Appalachian mountain range. When European settlers came to Georgia, most of the land was covered by forest that was later cleared for agriculture or harvested for timber. Sandy Springs began to develop as a suburb to Atlanta in the 1950s and single-family homes progressively replaced farmland and patches of forest.
Several large tracts of land are forested in Sandy Springs: three units of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (Island Ford, Powers Island and East Palisades), many City parks (Big Trees Forest Preserve - a member of the Old-Growth Forest Network, Lost Corner Preserve, Morgan Falls Overlook Park, and Ridgeview Park) and private properties as well. This network of forest creates critical habitat for wildlife, including migratory birds on their way to other parts of the continent.
How Can Individual Homeowners Contribute to the Urban Canopy?
Plant Health Care (PHC) Practices
The City employs a comprehensive Plant Health Care (PHC) approach to sustain tree health through preventive care and environmentally sound practices.
Proper Pruning Practices
Tree pruning is a critical component of urban tree management. The City adheres to guidelines set by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), mandating that all pruning on public property or funded through the Tree Fund follow best practices.
Plant native trees
The City partners with Trees Atlanta to provide trees, free of charge. Up to three trees per property can be requested. The trees must be planted within 35 feet of the street right-of-way, in the front yard. Only properties along public roads are eligible. Trees Atlanta will plant the trees but homeowners are responsible for the maintenance. For more information and to place a request, please visit: treesatlanta.org/yardtree/
Invasive Species Management
Many plant species native to other parts of the world thrive in our area, due to similarities in climatic conditions. Some make their way to our area as ornamental plants and others as unnoticed hitchhikers. Unfortunately some are very adaptable and, without their native predators to keep them in check, will spread uncontrollably. This can result in displacing our native plant species which are sources of food for the local wildlife. In other words, exotic invasive species are a serious threat to the health of natural ecosystems and are illegal to plant in the City of Sandy Springs (Development Code, Section 8.2.8)
English ivy (Hedera helix) is of particular concern to trees as it has a tendency to climb up trunks. It attaches itself to the support plant causing damage to the bark. It can rob the tree from sunlight and cause it to struggle to grow leaves. Eventually the ivy may become too heavy for the tree structure and break branches and the trunk. Information on English ivy
Other resources:
Trees Atlanta published a list of the top ten forest threats in metro Atlanta:
Georgia Invasive Species Task Force
Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council: “Suggested Alternatives to Non-native Invasive Plants”
Nonprofit and Volunteer Groups in Sandy Springs
Memorial Tree Program
The City’s Memorial Tree Program provides a lasting way to honor individuals through tree donations. Donors may contribute the cost of a tree and commemorative placard to be installed in one of Sandy Springs' public parks.
Tree species and planting locations are determined in accordance with the City’s Acceptance of Gifts in Parks and Open Spaces Policy. A forthcoming interactive map will display eligible planting sites alongside the Public Tree Inventory Map.
Donation guidelines. For inquiries contact the Department of Recreation and Parks.
If you need to remove a tree on your property, please be aware a permit might be required:
