Columbus, GA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Duty holder
- City Arborist
- Covers
- arterial & collector streets, public spaces
- Adopted by
- City Council
- Species source
- UDO Table 4.6.5
- Banned species include
- Bradford Pear, Silver Maple
Summary
Columbus, Georgia's City Arborist must prepare a street tree planting plan and program for major arterial and collector streets and other public spaces, adopted by Council as the city's Official Street Tree Planting Plan and Program.
Street Trees. Prepare a street tree planting plan and program along all major arterial streets, collector streets, and publicly owned spaces, including the preparation of detailed plans and specifications for all areas covered by the tree planting plan.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 75).
Full Breakdown
Among the City Arborist's statutory duties under the Unified Development Ordinance is to prepare a street tree planting plan and program covering all major arterial streets, collector streets, and publicly owned spaces, including detailed plans and specifications for every area the plan covers. Once the Council adopts it, this becomes the city's 'Official Street Tree Planting Plan and Program,' the governing document for planting trees along Columbus's public streets, parks, and other public places. Trees planted to satisfy any tree-density requirement, including parkway and street trees, must come from the species list in UDO Table 4.6.5, which also bans species such as Bradford Pear and Silver Maple.
Violations & Fines
Planting street or parkway trees from UDO Table 4.6.5's prohibited list, Bradford Pear, Silver Maple, Siberian Elm, and others, means the plantings don't count toward required tree density and must be replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Columbus, Georgia have an official street tree program?
What trees are banned from Columbus street plantings?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Columbus
Compare Columbus to another location·View the Georgia tree protection overview
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