Sandy Springs alters tree ordinance

The Sandy Springs City Council revamped parts of the city’s tree ordinance at its meeting Tuesday night.

Among other changes, the revisions require that trees planted for canopy mitigation be larger than the current 2-inch caliper standard, which means that tree-coverage replacement happens more quickly and that planted trees require less maintenance. The ordinance also changes the size standard for so-called boundary trees from 18 to 10 inches diameter at breast (DBH), meaning that more adjacent-property trees will get protection.

The revisions also require when tree canopy removal results in tree coverage falling below minimum requirements, the offender must replant and also make a payment into the city’s tree bank. The changes also incorporate several tree-planting incentives.