Enhancing Community Safety by Reducing Tree Risk in Underserved Areas
Property owners with dead, dying, or diseased trees that pose a current risk to their home or personal property may apply for a one-time award to cover the cost of tree removal. To be considered for this award, the following criteria must be met with the application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Paper applications are available upon request.
Tree Removal Proposal: At least one proposal must be submitted from a contractor who meets the following requirements:
Has a certified arborist on staff (preferably the person evaluating the tree).
Holds General Liability Insurance as well as Worker’s Compensation insurance for employees who will be working on the property.
Maintains a current and valid business license in the state of Georgia.
Photographs of the Tree: Provide pictures of the tree from at least three different angles. The photos must show the tree’s base and crown, as well as the house or structure that the tree poses a threat to.
Personal Statement from the Property Owner: This should include information to support the request for the award. For example: “I am the property owner at 311 Riverdale Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501. The river birch on my property is dead, and limbs keep falling on my roof. I am on a fixed income and live alone, without the means to hire a tree company."
Location Requirement: The property must be located within a GA TAG and ReLeaf Match Waiver area in the state of Georgia. Applicants can verify their eligibility by checking their address on the designated GA TAG and ReLeaf Match Waiver map [link to map].
All award payments will be made directly to the contractor once the work has been completed. Payment to the contractor will be made by The Georgia Arborist Association according to the terms of the contractor. No payments will be made directly to the homeowner.
All applications will be reviewed in the first two weeks of every month from February until December 2025. Notification of assignment of award will take place after the award committee has reviewed all applications. The award committee consists of 10 individuals who represent a diverse non-biased group. All identifying information will be removed from the applications (except for the GA TAG and ReLeaf Match Waiver tract number) before it is reviewed by the committee.
Applications that are missing information or are incomplete will not be considered for the award. If you have questions about your application, please direct them to info@georgiaarborist.org.