Tree Removal in Decatur, AL

Tree Work in the River City

Decatur sits on the Tennessee River at Wheeler Lake and spans two counties: it's the county seat of Morgan County and reaches into Limestone County. About 58,000 people live here, many in neighborhoods that have been growing trees for over a century.

The Old Decatur and Albany historic districts are both on the National Register, with older homes under a heavy canopy of mature trees. Closer to the river and along Flint Creek, the ground is wetter and trees behave differently in storms. Both situations call for more planning than an open-yard removal.

Old Decatur and Albany

Mature trees in these historic districts often stand close to older homes, detached garages, and property lines. Removal usually means taking the tree down in pieces with rigging, and sometimes a crane.

Near the River and Flint Creek

Flint Creek meets the Tennessee River at Decatur. Trees in low, wet ground near the water can have shallower roots and are more likely to uproot in high wind.

Trees Along the Street

Decatur's Urban Forestry Ordinance covers trees on public property. A tree between the sidewalk and the street may belong to the city, so check before anyone cuts it.

Tree on a Power Line in Decatur?

Decatur runs its own utility. If a tree or limb is on a power line in Decatur Utilities' service area, stay back, treat the line as live, and call Decatur Utilities at 256-552-1400 (option 1). Call 911 first for fire, an injury, or a line down in the road. Don't let anyone cut a tree that's touching a line until the utility says it's safe.

Before You Remove a Tree in Decatur

Decatur has an Urban Forestry Ordinance (Article XIX of the city code). It covers trees on public property, and removing one of those takes an application to the city, with a replacement tree from the city's approved list. We couldn't confirm how much of it applies to trees fully on a private lot, so if the tree is anywhere near the street, call the city first. In the Old Decatur or Albany historic districts, also ask whether the city's Architectural Review Board needs to weigh in.

Tree Services Decatur Homeowners Ask About Most

Crane-Assisted Tree Removal -- for big trees in tight historic-district yards with no room to drop them.
Large Tree Removal -- for mature hardwoods in older neighborhoods.
Tree Cabling & Bracing -- for a valuable old tree with a weak fork that's worth saving instead of removing.
Storm Damage Tree Removal -- for trees knocked over or split in wet ground near the river.

Decatur Tree Removal Questions

Who owns the tree between my sidewalk and the street in Decatur?

It may be the city's. Decatur's Urban Forestry Ordinance covers public trees, and removing one requires a city application. Call the city before cutting a tree near the street.

Can an old tree in a Decatur historic district be saved?

Often, yes. Cabling and bracing can support a mature tree with a weak fork or a split. It doesn't fix every tree, but it's worth asking about before removing one that's stood for a hundred years.

What do I do about a tree on a power line in Decatur?

Call Decatur Utilities first at 256-552-1400 (option 1), or 911 if there's fire or injury. The line has to be made safe before the tree can be cut.