The City's Tree Preservation Program officially began in 1991, with the adoption of a Tree Ordinance and formation of the Tree Preservation Board. The Tree Preservation Board meets quarterly. Find out more about the Board's mission and members, and about the Board's Outstanding Community Tree Steward award.
    TREE PRESERVATION BOARD. The Tree Preservation Board meets at least quarterly. The City of Covington's comprehensive Tree Preservation Program began in 1991.
      For more information, contact the City of Covington Building and Zoning Office at (770)385-2178 voice / (770)385-2170 fax.

The objectives of this Program are:?

> To conserve community forest canopy cover and health; and, ?
> To manage the publicly owned trees to-?
> Promote tree health and value,?
> Improve tree condition,? promote public safety,?
> Maximize the benefits of trees,?
> Maintain an attractive landscape.Listed below is a brief history of the Program and its accomplishments.

1991

City adopted a Tree Preservation Ordinance.

1992

Inventory of all public street trees completed by an urban forestry consultant.  Most common street trees are Bradford pear, flowering dogwood, and sugar maple.

1992 & ongoing

City awarded Tree City USA status by the National Arbor Day Foundation.  Tree City USA status has been awarded every year since.  Since 1993 the City has received the Tree City Growth Award for accomplishments over and above the basic four standards.

1993 & ongoing

City received the Tree City USA Growth Award for activities completed beyond the requirements of the Tree City USA program.  This award has been received every year since.

1994

Tree Management Plan developed by the consultant to provide a framework for management.  A Tree Preservation budget was established as a result of the management plan.

1995

City hired a part-time (1-day/week) urban forestry consultant to assist in management of the public tree resource.  City Forester continues to assist the City in administration of the Program.

1997

Building Safety and Zoning Department, City Forester, and Tree Preservation Board completed revisions to the Tree Preservation Ordinance.

1997 & ongoing

Outstanding Community Tree Steward Award program developed.  Awards given for a large development in the City or County, a small (less than 5 acres) development, an business, or a group or individual that has show leadership in conserving and planting trees.

1998

Standard Operating Procedures developed for Planning, Tree Inventory, Insect and Disease Control, Diseased Trees on Private Property, Planting and Pruning Program, Regulations, Tree Removal, Tree Removal by Citizen Requests, and Transplants.

1999

Tree Canopy Cover study began.  Interim report published.  Additional information will be published after analysis of latest aerial photography.

1991 & ongoing

Annual Arbor Day Program and Tree Planting conducted.  Since 1997, the Outstanding Urban Tree Steward Award is presented on Arbor Day along with Tree City USA and Tree City Growth Award. 

2000

Bequest made to the City of Covington by Mr. Gwyn T. Ricketts for tree planting to beautify the City.

2001

Trees Covington, Inc., a non-profit organization, formed to administer the Ricketts bequest.

2002

A 6-acre tree nursery is established at the Land Application Facility.  The nursery wins an award for innovation at the 2002 Georgia Urban Forest Council annual Conference and Awards Program.

2003

City Forester presents “Small Trees the National Arbor Day Foundation’s Trees and Utilities Conference in Omaha, Nebraska.

2003

Inventory completed of historic trees within the City by ACRT, Inc. 

2003

Major revisions of Tree Preservation Ordinance completed with public input.  Tree canopy cover requirements included for all zoning districts.

2004

A public program on the results of the inventory and the care of mature and historic trees is given at the Center.

2004

Ongoing community forest management.  Implementation of the Tree Preservation Ordinance.