City Launches Dalton Community Forest Program
Friday, March 27th, 2026
The City of Dalton is launching a new program to encourage homeowners to plant trees on their property. The Dalton Community Forest Program is bringing together the Public Works Department, the Dalton Tree Board, and community partners to create a low-cost path to installation of trees on private property to enhance Dalton's neighborhoods and promote better air quality and climate resilience. Under the program, Dalton property owners can apply to have a tree installed on their property for a fee.
"It's the silver bullet if you can get homeowners bought in to planting trees on private property," said City Arborist Jerome Key. "We've got all these trees in the (public) right of way that are getting mature, and possibly getting to a point where they have to be removed. They're declining and decaying. And the spots in the right of way aren't always the best location for the planting of a tree. So if we can get property owners bought into planting trees on their property that aren't going to hinder utilities or road safety, I think that's a big plus."
Caption: Trees cast shade over the sidewalk along Selvidge Street near downtown Dalton
To qualify to participate in the Community Forest Program, an applicant must own a home within the City limits of Dalton. The planting location for the tree must be in the front yard of the residence and be visibile from the public right of way. If approved, applicants will pay a $250 fee to have a tree installed on their property. The Public Works Department will administer the program and select the planting location for the trees while the Fiddleheads nursery will provide the tree and install it. Dalton Utilities and North Georgia EMC are providing water bags to help keep the new trees watered. Residents are limited to one tree per year under the program, and the Public Works Department expects to be able to accommodate approximately 20 applicants per year. If there are not enough applicants, it is possible that residents could buy more than one tree.
There are five types of trees that are being installed as part of the program. They include red maple trees that can grow to be as tall as 70 feet tall, ginkgo, southern red oak, and willow oak trees that can grow to be as tall as 80 feet tall, and white oak trees that can grow to be as tall as 100 feet.
"Any trees that we get applications for from this point on will be planted later this fall and winter. It's not suitable to plant trees in the summer," Key said.
As much as 80 percent of an urban forest grows on private property according to the National Association of State Foresters. As Dalton continues to develop, it's important to continue growing its tree canopy.
"Trees help to reduce the heat island effect created by asphalt roads and concrete," Key said. "They're good for the environment, and they improve our air quality."
To apply to participate, residents can click here to download an application. You can also contact City arborist Jerome Key at 706-278-7077 for more information.
"If anyone has an issues with trees on their property that they'd like me to come out and take a look at, I'll do my best to assist them, even if they aren't getting a tree as part of this program," Key said.
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