Tree-cutting billboard law on hold

Georgia trees on the chopping block got a respite this week after a Muscogee County judge put on hold a new law that allows billboard owners to clear-cut trees that block their signs.  Superior Court Judge Frank Jordan ruled that the issues in the court case need to be decided before the state starts issuing the new cutting permits.

Environmentalists and civic boosters are suing, saying the state can't constitutionally give up its property, state-owned trees, for little in return. Billboard owners say billboards do provide value in return.

Billboard owners had long fought for the right to clear-cut before the bill passed last year.