Peachtree City may relax tree-cutting rules

Peachtree City may relax its rules about tree removal on private property.

City Planner Robin Cailloux presented the City Council with proposed revisions on April 5, based on a survey of ordinances in other cities. Current rules require a permit to cut down any tree more than six inches in diameter unless it is damaged or diseased. Healthy “specimen” trees more than 10-12 inches wide may not be removed unless hazardous, but the city might double those limits and/or allow residents to cut trees in exchange for donating to a tree replenishment fund.

Cailloux said the revision would reduce the amount of staff time spent on reviewing tree permits. Further discussion is pending.