Historic Canopy, River Lots
Tree Service in Roswell, GA
Roswell splits into two very different tree worlds: the old, tall canopy of the historic district near Canton Street, and the steep, wooded lots dropping down toward the Chattahoochee. We connect homeowners in both with a local tree service, and each asks for a different approach, starting with the city's permit rule.
Two sides of Roswell's trees
The Historic District
Around Canton Street and the old town core, big, mature hardwoods stand in close quarters, often shading porches and sidewalks. Removals here are careful, rigging-heavy jobs, and pruning has to respect both the tree and the character of the district.
The River Corridor
Toward the Chattahoochee, lots turn steep and wooded. Access and footing are the challenge, and inside 2,000 feet of the river the city wants a call before any tree comes down (below).
The Roswell tree ordinance
Roswell's rule is broad: the city says a Tree Removal Permit is required for the removal of any tree larger than 3 inches in diameter. That is a far lower bar than Marietta, where a finished single-home lot is exempt, so do not assume a neighbor's experience in another city applies here.
- Questions about a permit: the City of Roswell's Landscape Architect answers tree removal and permitting questions at (770) 594-6445.
- Near the river: all property owners and residents in the River Corridor, meaning property within 2,000 feet of the Chattahoochee, must contact Roswell's Planning and Zoning office at (770) 817-6720 before removing any trees.
- The details are in Article 12 of Roswell's Unified Development Code, which the city points to from its tree FAQ.
Cutting first and asking later is the expensive way to learn the rule. Call the city with the tree's size and location, then get the tree service's quote.
What the river corridor means
The Chattahoochee corridor comes from the Metropolitan River Protection Act, which protects a 2,000-foot strip along both banks between Buford Dam and Peachtree Creek. Its standards include a 50-foot undisturbed vegetative buffer along the river and a 150-foot setback for hard surfaces. The Atlanta Regional Commission reviews land-disturbing projects inside it, and the local government, here the City of Roswell, issues the certificate. A dead tree near the water may still be a corridor question, which is exactly why the city asks for a call first.
Who picks up the limbs in Roswell?
The city's curbside service takes yard waste in small, measured amounts. Roswell's garbage and sanitation rules:
- Limbs: no longer than 4 feet, no thicker than 6 inches, and no heavier than 50 pounds.
- How much: up to 12 bags, or loose material up to two cubic yards, in paper composting sacks or a 50-gallon container.
- When: at the curb by 8 a.m. on collection day.
- More than that: residents can schedule a special yard waste pickup through Waste Pro at (470) 820-1900, and fees apply.
A whole tree will not fit those limits, so the tree service's quote should say who hauls the logs and brush.
Before work starts on a Roswell lot
- Steep ground: ask how the crew will move wood down or up the slope and where the trucks will set up. HomeAdvisor notes that hard access can add 25 to 50 percent to a removal.
- Buried lines: for stump grinding or root work, contact Georgia 811 (811 or 800-282-7411, free) at least 3 business days ahead.
- Overhead lines: a tree company working within 10 feet of a line over 750 volts must notify Georgia 811 at least 72 hours ahead, not counting weekends and holidays.
- The wood: Roswell is in Fulton County, where Georgia EPD bans burning land-clearing and storm debris all year. Put haul-off in the quote.
Costs, permits in the neighboring cities, and the full hiring checklist are on our tree removal in Marietta page.
Common Roswell questions
Yes. The City of Roswell says a Tree Removal Permit is required for the removal of any tree larger than 3 inches in diameter, and its Landscape Architect answers permit questions at (770) 594-6445. The rules are in Article 12 of the city's Unified Development Code.
If your property is within 2,000 feet of the river, Roswell asks all owners and residents in the River Corridor to contact Planning and Zoning at (770) 817-6720 before removing any trees.
Do not assume it is. Roswell's published rule covers any tree larger than 3 inches in diameter, so call the city's Landscape Architect at (770) 594-6445 with the tree's size and location before anyone cuts. A dead tree near the house is still worth dealing with quickly.
Yes. We connect Roswell homeowners on steep, wooded river lots with a local tree service. Those jobs take planning for access, footing, and rigging, and the city's corridor rules come first, so make the Planning and Zoning call before the work is scheduled.
Only in small amounts. Roswell's curbside yard waste collection takes limbs up to 4 feet long, 6 inches thick, and 50 pounds, and up to 12 bags or two cubic yards, at the curb by 8 a.m. For more, schedule a special pickup with Waste Pro at (470) 820-1900 (fees apply), or have the tree service haul it.
Roswell trees, done by the book.
Check the city's permit rule, then call and we connect you with a local tree service. Ask for the quote in writing.