Welcome to the Web site for the Athens-Clarke County Community Tree Program. You will find a wealth of information about tree care, forest management, and other information related to trees in the Athens-Clarke County community.
Athens-Clarke County recognizes that trees are a critical component needed for public health and safety, environmental health, and enhancement of our quality of life. The Community Tree Program is designed to conserve and professionally manage publicly-owned trees while providing education and support for private tree owners and managers.
What's New
- New Community Tree Program Newsletter
- Oaks Attacked
- Time to Cut Your Insurance Company?
- ACC Tree Canopy Change Map
Oaks Attacked
The Athens area is currently suffering from a major Forest Tent Caterpillar outbreak. Many residents are seeing rapid defoliation of their oaks and this commonly coincides with a concerning loss of bark.
Forest Tent Caterpillar larvae emerge in the spring and begin feeding in the canopies of mature oak trees. Complete defoliation can occur within a couple of weeks. Large amounts of bark may be removed by woodpeckers and squirrels as they feed on the caterpillars. After approximately six weeks, the caterpillars form a cocoon and change into moths. The moths leave the host trees and lay eggs on other available trees where the eggs remain until the next winter.
Chemical control is generally not needed because the caterpillar only has one generation per year. Trees typically grow new leaves after the caterpillars have left. If homeowners observe repeated attacks for three or more years, they may want to apply Bayer’s Tree and Shrub Insect Control around tree to reduce the impacts of future attacks.
Trees and Insurance Companies
There have been several recent reports that insurance companies have been requesting or requiring homeowners to remove all trees from within 100 feet of their home. Threatening letters which overstate the risk of adjacent trees are sent out to policy holders with a deadline for action. These letters imply that coverage will be dropped if the trees are not removed.
While unmaintained trees can certainly pose a risk to people and property, there is no need to create enormous clear zones in the name of safety. In Georgia, insurance claims can be denied if the insurer can provide proof that the tree was an obvious hazard. If you are happy with your current insurance company but you want to keep your trees, we suggest you have a Certified Arborist review your property and provide you with a written hazard assessment. This assessment will generally be enough to satisfy your insurer.
Notice
Funds for this project were provided by the Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program administered by the Georgia Forestry Commission.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD.)
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-A, Whitten Building,14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or TDD.) USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.