Avondale Estates’ recently-posted rough draft of its proposed tree ordinance at http://avondaleestates.org has drawn some criticism from local residents. The draft mostly anthologizes ordinances from other cities and hasn’t, according to City Manager Clai Brown, “been vetted by the city attorney. We have a long way to go.”

The city formed an ad hoc committee last fall which organized the current draft.

“It is definitely burdensome to residential homeowners, but this is only a start,” said Mayor Jonathan Elmore. “It’s time for us to seriously consider a tree ordinance. We need something in place to protect our canopy.”

Avondale’s current tree ordinance covers all zoning districts except for residential. Brown expects to call a special work session on the ordinance in July.

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Angie McBrayer, ex-wife of James Aaron McBrayer, leans her head on her son Sam McBrayer as she and her three children and two grandchildren (from left) Jackson McBrayer, 3, Piper Jae McBrayer, 7, Katy Isaza, and Jordan McBrayer, visit the grave of James McBrayer, Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Tifton. He died after being restrained by Tift County sheriff's deputies on April 24, 2019. His ex-wife witnessed the arrest and said she thought the deputies were being rough but did not imagine that McBrayer would die. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC