Montgomery Urban Forestry Division Engagement Site

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Trees make a difference!

Studies show that communities with access to trees and green spaces are associated with improved health outcomes, reduced crime, lower average temperatures, and an influx of other kinds of investments and new economic opportunities. Through funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, the United States Forest Service is making historic investments in boosting the nation’s tree cover in urban, suburban and rural communities nationwide through its Urban and Community Forst Grant program. The agency has selected 385 grant proposals from entities that are working to increase equitable access to trees and green spaces, and the many benefits they provide. In early 2024, the City of Montgomery was selected to receive $1 million as part of this grant program to plant trees on public rights of way and in public spaces in underserved communities within the city. Funds will be issued to the City in summer of 2024.

Help Us Target Improvements to Montgomery's Urban Tree Canopy by Providing Your Feedback

The City's Urban Forestry Division seeks to use these funds to plan 5,000 new trees and perform 5,625 hours of professional tree pruning and hazard reduction, resulting in safer access to urban forest benefits. To help the Forestry staff target this grant-funded work, the City is seeking feedback from the community about where and how improvements to the city's trees can have the most impact on neighborhood quality of life.

Use the tools below to share your thoughts with us to help shape the urban tree canopy in our city

  • Where you would most like to see new trees?
  • Where are there tree-related hazards that you've seen in your neighborhood, nearby park, or other public place?
  • What kinds of trees would you most like to be planted?
  • What questions do you have about this grant or the Urban Forestry Division's work?
  • Who in the community is interested in helping to ensure newly planted trees are regularly watered?
  • What ideas do you have about how tree-related improvements can impact your neighborhood?

Trees make a difference!

Studies show that communities with access to trees and green spaces are associated with improved health outcomes, reduced crime, lower average temperatures, and an influx of other kinds of investments and new economic opportunities. Through funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, the United States Forest Service is making historic investments in boosting the nation’s tree cover in urban, suburban and rural communities nationwide through its Urban and Community Forst Grant program. The agency has selected 385 grant proposals from entities that are working to increase equitable access to trees and green spaces, and the many benefits they provide. In early 2024, the City of Montgomery was selected to receive $1 million as part of this grant program to plant trees on public rights of way and in public spaces in underserved communities within the city. Funds will be issued to the City in summer of 2024.

Help Us Target Improvements to Montgomery's Urban Tree Canopy by Providing Your Feedback

The City's Urban Forestry Division seeks to use these funds to plan 5,000 new trees and perform 5,625 hours of professional tree pruning and hazard reduction, resulting in safer access to urban forest benefits. To help the Forestry staff target this grant-funded work, the City is seeking feedback from the community about where and how improvements to the city's trees can have the most impact on neighborhood quality of life.

Use the tools below to share your thoughts with us to help shape the urban tree canopy in our city

  • Where you would most like to see new trees?
  • Where are there tree-related hazards that you've seen in your neighborhood, nearby park, or other public place?
  • What kinds of trees would you most like to be planted?
  • What questions do you have about this grant or the Urban Forestry Division's work?
  • Who in the community is interested in helping to ensure newly planted trees are regularly watered?
  • What ideas do you have about how tree-related improvements can impact your neighborhood?

Forestry Questions & Answers

Do you have question for the City of Montgomery's Urban Forestry Division staff? Please submit them below, and we will provide answers shortly.

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  • Share How can a resident request tree maintenance or removal of a city tree? on Facebook Share How can a resident request tree maintenance or removal of a city tree? on Twitter Share How can a resident request tree maintenance or removal of a city tree? on Linkedin Email How can a resident request tree maintenance or removal of a city tree? link

    How can a resident request tree maintenance or removal of a city tree?

    12 months ago

    To report a hazardous tree: submit this online form, or call 311

    Upon receipt of a request to remove or maintain a city tree, the tree shall be inspected and evaluated and an appropriate plan of action shall be implemented. The citizen making the request shall be notified of the findings of the evaluation and the course of action to be taken.

    The City of Montgomery will allow the removal of a tree from public property only when one or more of the following conditions exist:

    1. The tree is hazardous. A tree will be considered hazardous when the tree has a condition which makes failure imminent.
    2. The tree is a sight distance problem and no other cost effective alternative exists. In the event that a removal request is due to a tree causing a blind corner at an intersection, the Urban Forester will work with the city of Montgomery Traffic Engineering Department to best address the situation. Options that will be evaluated shall include pruning, installing stop or other signage or installing traffic signals. Removal of the tree will be performed only if no other alternatives exist.
    3. The tree is recognized by the Alabama Invasion Plant Council as an exotic/invasive species.

    The City of Montgomery shall not allow the removal of a tree from public property without the written permission of the Urban Forester. 

    report a tree issue,tree removal,tree policy
    report a tree issue tree removal tree policy
  • Share What kinds of trees grow well in the city? How do residents know what to plant? on Facebook Share What kinds of trees grow well in the city? How do residents know what to plant? on Twitter Share What kinds of trees grow well in the city? How do residents know what to plant? on Linkedin Email What kinds of trees grow well in the city? How do residents know what to plant? link

    What kinds of trees grow well in the city? How do residents know what to plant?

    12 months ago

    The City's Urban Forestry Division recommends the following species of trees for landscaping at residences and as part of landscaping plans submitted by developers. These tree types are recommended because of their ability to thrive in our climate.

    Canopy Trees 

    • White Ash (Fraxinus americana)* 
    • Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) 
    • Yellow Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)* 
    • Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) 
    • Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardi) 
    • Nuttall Oak (Quercus texana) 
    • White Oak (Quercus alba) 
    • Willow Oak (Quercus phellos)* 
    • Lacebark Elm (Ulmus parvifolia)** 
    • Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica) 
    • Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) 
    • Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) 
    • Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)*


    Understory Trees 

    • Trident Maple (Acer buergerianum)* ** 
    • Eastern Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) 
    • Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum)* 
    • American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) 
    • Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) 
    • Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis)** 
    • Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)** 


    * Not suitable for prairie clay soils. 

    ** Non-native.

    recommended trees
    recommended trees
  • Share Are developers required to plan trees when they put up new buildings? on Facebook Share Are developers required to plan trees when they put up new buildings? on Twitter Share Are developers required to plan trees when they put up new buildings? on Linkedin Email Are developers required to plan trees when they put up new buildings? link

    Are developers required to plan trees when they put up new buildings?

    12 months ago

    Yes. All development containing parking of 10 spaces or more must submit a landscape plan to the Urban Forestry Division for review and approval. Landscape plans are reviewed in the order in which they are received. Each plan is reviewed for compliance with the landscape ordinance, and detailed review sheets are sent to the applicant if there is a problem with compliance. Once the landscape plan has been approved, the Urban Forester will sign off on the project.

    Before the City of Montgomery will issue a Certificate of Occupancy, the Urban Forestry Division must approve the installation of landscaping for the site. The approved plan on file is used for the final landscape inspection. If the landscaping on site does not concur with the landscape plan on file for the development, a Certificate of Occupancy will not be issued, nor will a temporary Certificate be issued. Once the landscaping has been approved, a Certificate of Occupancy can be issued for the site.

    Documents to help with your landscape planning:

    landscaping requirements for new development
    landscaping requirements for new development
Page last updated: 28 Aug 2024, 07:52 AM