TIPS FOR TREE OWNERS
      The City of Covington Building and Zoning Department has produced a booklet that contains practical "Tips for Tree Owners". This booklet provides information on how to inspect, maintain, protect, and plant trees around your home or business. The booklet was produced with a grant from the Georgia Forestry Commission and the USDA Forest Service.
      The booklet is also intended for Landscape Contractors who maintain trees within the City. If you employ a landscape contractor to plant trees or maintain your trees and landscape, please provide a copy of this booklet to the crew supervisor and company owner.
     You can view this booklet online, download it in a .pdf format, or request/pick up a free copy from the Building and Zoning Office at 2116 Stalling Street, (770)385-2178.
     TREE ROOTS
      Protecting a tree's roots is one of the most important things you can do to keep the entire tree healthy. Where do tree roots grow? You'd probably be surprised to learn that they grow out, not down. Most tree roots grow in the top 6 to 18 inches of soil, and extend out from the tree 2 to 3 times the width of the tree's branches. Click here for more information on tree roots.
     CARING FOR MATURE AND HISTORIC TREES
     Covington has more than 1,200 historic trees, and we're losing these trees every day as a result of old age, diseases and insects, improper maintenance, lack of protection, and neglect.
      The most important things to remember in caring for these, our oldest "citizens", are:?

> NEVER TOP TREES! This will start or accelerate tree decline.?
> Keep deadwood pruned, but minimize the removal of live wood; these large trees need a lot of leaves to produce the food they need to maintain themselves.?
> Do not fertilize unless you have done a soil test and results show a need for a specific element.?
> Keep the root zone mulched, but keep the mulch 1 foot away from the base of the trunk to minimize moisture that favors diseases.?
> When watering, do not water the trunk or root collar to minimize disease.?

     Have a Certified Arborist inspect your large and historic trees to determine their health and safety. Learn more about the oldest citizens of Covington and their care. A slide show is available that provides details on mature and historic tree care.