St. Ives Area Tree Removal Guide
St. Ives is a golf-course community along the Chattahoochee side of North Fulton, and it is inside the City of Johns Creek, not the City of Alpharetta. That distinction matters for tree work: permits and rules come from Johns Creek, and the community's HOA adds its own review. This guide is here because many St. Ives homeowners search for Alpharetta tree service.
Below are the key points for St. Ives properties, with Alpharetta's rules noted only for comparison.
Which rules apply
The City of Johns Creek's Do I Need a Permit checklist includes tree removal among the non-building activities it addresses, and its building and permitting pages explain how to apply. Contact Johns Creek's Community Development staff for the current tree rules and whether your removal needs a permit. Alpharetta's UDC §3.2 tree ordinance does not apply inside Johns Creek.
HOA review
St. Ives has an active homeowners association with architectural and landscape standards. Removing large trees, especially those visible from the street or the golf course, often needs HOA approval. Ask the management company for the current process and get approval in writing before scheduling work.
Typical tree work in St. Ives
Large lots with mature hardwoods and pines mean common jobs include removing storm-damaged or dead trees near homes, crown cleaning, clearance from roofs, and stump grinding. Many homes back onto the course or wooded areas, so access for equipment may be limited and crews often climb and lower trees in sections, which adds cost.
Planning and costs
Published 2026 estimates put most single-tree removals at about $200–$2,000, with tall backyard trees toward the top of that range and crane jobs costing more. Request written quotes that include cleanup, stump grinding, protection of turf and hardscape, and who handles any permit and HOA paperwork. Ask for proof of insurance.
If a tree falls on the house
Ensure everyone is safe, stay away from downed lines, call the utility and 911 if needed, photograph the damage and contact your insurer before removal where possible. See the tree-on-roof guide.
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 Johns Creek, Do I Need a Permit?: the City's checklist of work types that need permits, including non-building activities such as tree removal.
- City of Johns Creek Building FAQs: explains that permits must be obtained before work starts and that work without a required permit can bring stop work orders.
- 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 Planning & Zoning: City department pages for tree and landscaping questions.
Code text and department procedures change; confirm current requirements with the jurisdiction before work starts.
Frequently asked questions
- Is St. Ives in Alpharetta?
- No. St. Ives is in the City of Johns Creek, so Johns Creek's rules apply, even though it is often grouped with Alpharetta in North Fulton.
- Do I need a permit to remove a tree in St. Ives?
- Check with the City of Johns Creek; its Do I Need a Permit checklist addresses tree removal. The HOA may also require approval.
- Does the St. Ives HOA have to approve tree removal?
- Often yes for large or visible trees. Get the current process from the HOA and approval in writing first.
- How much does tree removal cost in St. Ives?
- Published 2026 estimates put most single-tree removals at about $200–$2,000, with large backyard trees and crane work costing more.
- Do Alpharetta's specimen tree rules apply in St. Ives?
- No. Alpharetta's UDC §3.2 applies only inside Alpharetta city limits.
- What should a tree removal quote include?
- Each tree, stump grinding, cleanup, haul-off, turf and hardscape protection, and who handles permits and HOA paperwork.
Related local guides
- Tree on Roof: Insurance and Removal Steps
- Coordinating a Tree-on-Structure Removal
- Windward Emergency Fallen Pine Removal
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