Alpharetta Specimen Tree Removal
Alpharetta gives its largest and most valuable trees extra protection. Under the City's Unified Development Code (UDC) §3.2, a specimen tree is one that merits special consideration because of its size, type, condition, location or historical significance and also meets minimum trunk-diameter thresholds. Removing one requires more documentation than an ordinary tree and is approved only in limited circumstances.
This guide explains how to tell whether a tree is a specimen, what the City requires, and what the process usually costs.
Size thresholds by species
The UDC sets diameter thresholds measured at breast height: 30 inches or more for pines; 20 inches for deodar cedar, arborvitae and similar conifers; 30 inches for sweetgum and tulip poplar; 20 inches for beech, tupelo, persimmon, sassafras and Southern magnolias that reach over 40 feet; 24 inches for all other overstory genera, including most oaks and maples; and 8 inches for understory trees, or 10 inches for sourwood.
The City's guidance document adds that a specimen must be in fair, good or excellent health on at least an ISA Level 2 assessment. Lean, co-dominant stems or vines do not automatically disqualify a tree.
When removal can be approved
UDC §3.2.4 says specimen trees will only be approved for removal if they are in declining health or as approved by the Director. Any permit request that includes a specimen tree must include a risk assessment or similar report, following accepted industry standards, prepared by a qualified professional describing the tree's condition and risks. The City can also issue a permit for removal of a specimen tree with a replanting agreement approved by the Director.
What the application includes
The standard application, filed through the City's online portal, includes the reason for removal and a site sketch or photograph identifying each tree by size and species. For a specimen tree, add the professional risk assessment. Complete applications that qualify are decided within 10 working days, and the City will say whether replanting is required.
Replanting and density
Removing a large tree can drop a lot below the City's minimum tree density. The guidance document uses a standard of 130 inches per acre: the required site density minus the existing density equals the replacement inches to plant. A 0.34-acre lot, for example, needs about 44 inches of tree density. Specimen trees also carry weight in preservation credits, so replanting obligations can be meaningful.
Costs to expect
Large specimen-size trees are usually 60 feet or taller, so removal often falls in the higher published ranges, and crane work may be needed near structures. The risk assessment is a separate professional fee; published estimates put arborist reports at around $860 on average where a municipality requires one. Replacement trees add cost if density must be restored.
Published tree service cost estimates
| Service | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tree removal, up to 30 ft | $150–$450 | Angi 2026 |
| Tree removal, 30–60 ft | $450–$1,200 | Angi 2026 |
| Tree removal, 60–80 ft | $800–$1,500 | Angi 2026 |
| Tree removal, over 80 ft | $1,000–$2,000+ | Angi 2026 |
| Pine tree removal | $250–$1,500 | Angi 2026 |
| Stump grinding | $120–$400 per stump (about $2–$5 per inch of diameter) | Angi 2026 |
| Tree trimming, 25–50 ft tree | $150–$800 | Angi 2026 |
| Crane service when needed | about $500, or $250–$600 per day | Angi 2026 |
| Arborist report (where a municipality requires one) | about $860 average | Angi 2026 |
Sources: Angi: Tree removal cost (2026); Angi: Stump grinding cost (2026); Angi: Tree trimming cost (2026). Figures are published national or regional estimates compiled by those sites, labeled as estimates; they are not quotes and not prices from any provider on this site. Alpharetta's tree removal permit application has no submission fee according to the City's instructions; arborist reports and replanting are separate costs.
Local rules and code references
- City of Alpharetta UDC §3.2.4, permit for non-development activity (Municode): a tree removal permit is required except for routine pruning and exemptions; the application needs the reason and a sketch or photo identifying size and species; specimen trees need a risk assessment by a qualified professional; complete applications are decided within 10 working days; permits are issued for dead, damaged or diseased trees and for non-specimen trees if minimum density is maintained.
- City of Alpharetta UDC §3.2, Tree Conservation, Landscape, and Buffer Requirements (Municode): defines specimen trees by species and trunk diameter (for example 30 inches for pines, 24 inches for most other overstory genera, 8 inches for understory trees) and sets tree protection and density rules.
- City of Alpharetta Guidance Document for UDC Article III §3.2: tree density standard of 130 inches per acre (SDF − EDF = RDF), specimen tree health assessment at ISA Level 2 or higher, and tree care under ANSI A300 standards.
- City of Alpharetta Online Tree Removal Permit Application Instructions: how to apply through the City's online permit portal under the Tree Permits category.
Code text and department procedures change; confirm current requirements with the jurisdiction before work starts.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a specimen tree in Alpharetta?
- Under UDC §3.2, a specimen tree meets size thresholds such as 30 inches in diameter for pines, 30 inches for sweetgum and tulip poplar, 20 inches for beech, tupelo, persimmon, sassafras and large Southern magnolias, 24 inches for most other overstory trees, and 8 inches for understory trees (10 inches for sourwood).
- Can I remove a healthy specimen tree in Alpharetta?
- Only if approved by the Director, typically with a replanting agreement. UDC §3.2.4 otherwise limits specimen removal to trees in declining health.
- Do I need an arborist report to remove a specimen tree?
- Yes. UDC §3.2.4 requires a risk assessment or similar report prepared by a qualified professional for any permit request that includes a specimen tree.
- How long does an Alpharetta tree permit take?
- Under UDC §3.2.4, the Director issues a permit within 10 working days of receiving a complete application that qualifies.
- Will I have to replant after removing a specimen tree?
- Possibly. The City informs applicants if replanting is required, based on the lot's tree density requirement of 130 inches per acre in the City's guidance document.
- How much does it cost to remove a large tree in Alpharetta?
- Published 2026 estimates put removal of 60–80 ft trees at $800–$1,500 and trees over 80 ft at $1,000–$2,000 or more, plus any arborist report and replanting.
Related local guides
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