Residential Property

Welcome, City Forest Resident! Any type of residential property can get certified and you are in the right place if you would like to certify where you live. 

The program is available for any type of residential property and can include renters, homeowners, single-family homes, townhomes, apartments, condos, tiny homes, or any other type of residential housing. All it takes is one person at the residence, regardless of how many people live there, to apply and go through the process to certify the property. (You must attest that you are either the property owner of the listed address OR I have received explicit written or verbal permission from the property owner of the listed address.)

Note: if you are an HOA or apartment manager or business owner/employee and interested in certifying a site other than a single resident, please visit Resources > Community Property.

Here are some instructions for using these resources

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Trees & The Environment

Reuse rainwater (1 acorn)

The Tree Connection: Trees are efficient water-capture systems. Above ground, trees slow rainwater as the drops make their way through leaf foliage. Below ground, roots work to soak up moisture from the soil and transmit it back into the air through a process called transpiration. You, too, can mimic this natural water-capturing process using a device called a rain barrel! Capturing rainwater from a downspout is a great way to water landscape trees and plants, especially newly planted trees during the first growing season. Even well-established trees benefit from a deep drink of water occasionally!

Take Action: Install a rain barrel and earn 1 acorn! Start by checking out this below video by Jordan Yu, Watershed Protection Specialist, at Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. Jordan demonstrates installing a rain barrel through their rain barrel program. Afterward, check out the instruction link for a rain barrel installation guide and additional ways to source rain barrel materials.

Rain garden (2 acorns)

The Tree Connection: Bottomland and wetland forests are unique ecosystems where trees have developed special abilities to withstand the wet and low oxygen conditions along floodplains and riversides. Interestingly, many of these bottomland trees often make good choices for compacted urban soils which are also low in oxygen. If you have a natural low point on the property, or if you intend to create one with a downspout, consider planting a wetland tree to make a tiny wetland forest.

Take Action: Install a rain garden and earn 2 acorns! Start with the video below by Travys Harper, Green Infrastructure Manager at Trees Atlanta. Travys demonstrates installing a rain garden through the green infrastructure program. Afterward, check out the rain garden installation instructions, plant list, plant sources, and planting instructions.

Compost (1 acorn)

The Tree Connection: Decaying organic matters from dead wood and leaves are the building blocks of healthy soil in a forest. The types of organic matter from our kitchens and yards (food, leaves, grass clippings, limbs, etc.) can all break down into an organically rich soil component called compost. Consider composting these organic materials at home or through a compost service, in turn, supporting trees, plants, and gardens.

Take Action: Upon taking this action, you commit to composting your food waste to earn 1 acorn! To get you started, we provide this video below where you hear from Kat Nigro, Vice President of Experience at Compost Now on the importance and impact of composting. For more information, check out the following material for compost options including using compost now or choosing to compost at home. Plus for money and labor-free option, a list of locations you can drop off compost around Atlanta.

Reduce impervious (1-2 acorns)

Acorns: 1 acorn (up to 2 acorns if you remove any impervious surfaces)

The Tree Connection: Trees and vegetation are efficient water-capture and filtering systems. Trees slow rainwater as the drops make their way through leaf foliage while their root systems are at work soaking up moisture from the soil and transmitting it back into the air through a process called transpiration. Vegetation slows rainwater as it flows across the earth’s surface, filtering out sediments and pollutants. Paved surfaces prevent water from soaking into the soil and reaching tree roots, contributiong to increased sediment and pollutants in our rivers and oceans. Any reduction in impervious surface helps hold more moisture in the soil and clean our rivers!

Take Action: To meet this goal, the existing impervious area of the property cannot exceed an estimate of 1/2 or 50% of the total property (this includes all buildings, structures, concrete, asphalt, and other impervious paving). If you exceed 50% of the property with impervious surfaces, you must remove some and replace them with greenspace OR permeable products. Additionally, all properties seeking this goal must agree to select permeable products such as permeable concrete or aggregate when replacing or installing new impervious surfaces, which earns you 1 acorn. Any amount of impervious removal earns you a total of 2 acorns. Start by checking out this video that explains impervious surfaces and paving alternatives. Afterward, check out this how-to pdf resource for how to remove paving and select permeable materials.

Local food sources (1 acorn)

Acorns: 1 acorn

The Tree Connection: Animal agriculture is one of the leading drivers of deforestation globally. By eating vegetarian a couple of days a week you are not only lowering your carbon footprint, water resource use, and diversifying your diet, but you are helping lower the rates of global deforestation from animal agriculture. In addition, trees can be an excellent source of fresh food! Figs, persimmon, pomegranate, loquat, paw paw, and plum trees all grow well in Atlanta. Add some more locally grown fruit tree food into your diet by growing food or shopping at the local farmers’ market.

Take Action: You must make two changes to meet the criteria. First, replace 20% of your food with locally sourced food (think local farm or homegrown), and second, replace two days per week with vegetarian meals! You can estimate 20% by considering about 1 out of every 5 things in your fridge or skip the grocery store 1 out of 5 times in favor of a farmer’s market. Doing both of these will earn you 1 acorn. Start by checking out this video by our friends at the Community Farmers Market. Afterward, check out this how-to pdf resource for sourcing local food, companies who can help you start a garden, and resources for eating vegetarian.

Reduce & recycle (1 acorn)

Acorns: 1 acorn

The Tree Connection: Excess waste from the overuse of disposable products and unsustainable landscape practices are rampant, the overuse of these resources and disposal of these items fills our landfills, degrades water and air quality, and causes deforestation. Additionally, many products such as paper products, are produced from the removal of our forests and account for as much as 26% of landfills. There are simple ways to combat this problem by adopting a waste management plant to reduce consumption, purchase recycled products, and increase recycling.

Take Action: Adopt the waste reduction and recycling plan and earn 1 acorn! Start by checking out this video by our local recycling experts at CHaRM. They discuss what to do with hard to recycle materials. Afterward, check out this how-to pdf resource for the waste reduction plan you must adopt plus recycling tips.

Passive energy (2 acorns)

Acorns: 2 acorns

The Tree Connection: Forests are cooler than cities. Cities with reduced natural areas such as forests have less shaded ground. The unshaded, hard, city surface absorbs and retains heat and, with less leaf area, there is reduced evaporation by tree leaves. All of which contribute to higher temperatures from 1 – 7 degrees hotter than surrounding forests. Shading the HVAC system and casting shade on the Southern and Western facing exterior wall of buildings with deciduous trees can reduce your inside temperature up to 3 degrees in the summer.

Take Action: First, if the HVAC unit is not already located in the shade on the northern or eastern side of your building, use a shading device such as deciduous trees, shrubs, or vines to shade the HVAC unit. Next, plant deciduous trees, shrubs, or climbing vines to shade the Western and Southern exterior walls whenever possible to earn 2 acorns. Start by checking out this video that discusses how to improve the energy efficiency of the building with trees. Afterward, check out this how-to pdf resource for ideas on how to reduce energy needs with shade.

Trees & People

Volunteer (1-3 acorns)

Acorns: 1-3 acorns

The Tree Connection: Nonprofits such as Trees Atlanta rely on volunteers! We could not plant healthy trees all over the City of Atlanta or offer programs such as the certificate program without your help! Consider volunteering with Trees Atlanta or other local environmental nonprofits that need your help. Check out this volunteer video for some volunteer options with local non-profits.

Take Action: Volunteer for at least 3-hours once annually and earn 1 acorn (this is repeatable for up to 9 volunteer hours annually for a total of 3 acorns)! Start by checking out this video by Hands on Atlanta. Hand on Atlanta discusses different ways to volunteer. Afterward, check out this how-to pdf resource for a list of environmental non-profits with volunteer opportunities.

Local planning (1 acorn)

Acorns: 1 acorn

The Tree Connection: Local government and local community organizations are often the best partners in planning for neighborhoods with healthy trees. Consider attending your local NPU, neighborhood association, or park group and serve as a voice for projects involving trees in your neighborhood. For NPUs membership is open to anyone 18 years or older whose primary residence is within the NPU, as well as to any corporation, organization, institution, or agency which owns property or has a place of business within the NPU.

Take Action: Attend at least 50% of your NPU, neighborhood association, homeowners association meetings or join a local park conservancy or friends of the park meetings and, when appropriate, speak for the trees and earn 1 acorn! Start by checking out this video by our friends at Park Pride. Park Pride discusses different ways to get involved with park visioning and friends of the park groups. Afterward, check out this how-to pdf resource for how to find your friends of the park groups, NPU meetings, and a list of neighborhood associations for the City of Atlanta.

Recruit a neighbor (1 acorn)

Acorns: 1 acorn

The Tree Connection: As you go through this certification process the landscape where you live might start to look different and these changes create a great opportunity to talk with your neighbor or share the excitement on your network! Explain why you are making these changes and recruit your neighbor through this process. This helps expand on the good things happening at your home.

Take Action: Help recruit neighbors to sign-up for the certificate program and earn 1 acorn! It does not have to be a next-door neighbor but that would be a good place to start. Start by checking out this video that discusses how to talk with your neighbors. Afterward, check out this how-to pdf resource for ways to support your neighbors going through the process.

Plant swap or meet-up (1 acorn)

Acorns: 1 acorn

The Tree Connection: Once you start gardening, especially with native plants, you will find it is easy to start plants from seed, divide perennials, and propagate from cuttings. Set up a plant exchange and seed swap in your neighborhood where everyone can bring their extra plants and help diversify each other's yards. Alternatively, if you are not ready to host a swap you can start with a program social. Our certificate program is also a support group for sharing stories, tips, and seeking advice! One of the best ways to share is by hosting a casual social event for your city’s forest-certified neighbors. Host a get-together to meet each other, swap stories, and collaborate on new projects.

Take Action: Host a social or seed swap for city forest certified members and earn 1 acorn! Start by checking out this video that discusses the benefits of seed swaps and meet-ups! Afterward, check out this how-to pdf resource for how to get started with an event.

Education event (1-3 acorns)

Acorns: 1-3 acorns

The Tree Connection: Nonprofits such as Trees Atlanta have a mission to educate about the work that we do. There are many ways to learn about the many benefits of trees through volunteering or attending an event.

Take Action: Attend one education event at Trees Atlanta or another environmental non-profit annually and earn 1 acorn (repeat this and attend 3 events for a total of 3 acorns)! Start by checking out this video by Michelle, Education Manager at Trees Atlanta. Michelle discusses how to get involved with education at Trees Atlanta. Afterward, check out this pdf resource listing local environmental non-profits with education events.

Garden tour (2 acorns)

Acorns: 2 acorns

The Tree Connection: One of the perks of the certificate program is the opportunity to attend the annual program tour hosted by Trees Atlanta! Our certificate program is also a support group for sharing stories, tips, and seeking advice! One of the best ways to share is by touring the gardens of other properties. Show off your space and sign up to participate in the tour.

Take Action: Sign up to include your space as part of the garden tour and earn 2 acorns! Participants with no exterior space can also participate with the instructions below. Start by checking out this video by Woodland Gardens. Woodland Gardens discusses the value of visiting and learning from gardens. Afterward, check out this how-to pdf resource for getting prepared before the event.

City Forest volunteer (4 acorns)

Acorns: 4 acorns

The Tree Connection: The certificate program helps improve Atlanta one property at a time, and it is only possible through collective efforts! Take this a step further and share your expertise by completing our training program and helping us certify other sites around Atlanta!

Take Action: Get trained and commit to volunteering for one year (~3 hour monthly time commitment) and earn 4 acorns! Start by checking out this video by Susan Pierce, Associate Director of Volunteer Services at Trees Atlanta. Susan discusses how to volunteer with the certificate program. Afterward, check out this informational pdf resource for an overview of the program and how to sign-up.

Awareness (1 acorn)

Acorns: 1 acorn

The Tree Connection: While trees cannot vote, trees are affected by government policy. We modify our environments in many ways, often to the detriment of plants. Do your best to get involved and speak on behalf of trees by educating yourself on the environmental policies of your elected officials, pledging to protect the “city in the forest” and committing to learning more about our community’s environmental issues.

Take Action: First, review the environmental policy of your representatives and candidates in any upcoming elections using the site provided in the resources. Second, sign the Atlanta Canopy Alliance Pledge with instructions provided. Third, read one book, listen to five podcast episodes, join a plant society, or participate in a community science project for 1 year. With those three action items, you earn 1 acorn!  Start by checking out this video by Georgia Conservation Voters. They discuss what they do and we demonstrate how to look up elected officials’ environmental policy ratings. and to sign the Atlanta Canopy Alliance pledge. Afterward, check out this how-to pdf resource for looking up environmental policy, how to sign the Atlanta Canopy Alliance pledge, and refer to this list of excellent books to read, podcasts to listen to, or societies to join.

Trees & Plants

Reduce the lawn  (2 acorns)

Acorns: 2 acorns

The Tree Connection: Lawns are resource-intensive, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and they compete with the resources our trees need. Repetitive mowing can increase soil loss and harm tree root zones. Consider reducing the lawn to only the portion used for regular gathering and playing by converting the edges of the lawn into planting beds for trees, shrubs, and plants.

Take Action: Reduce the size of the lawn to be roughly 50% or less of the total yard and earn 2 acorns! (The total yard means the part of the yard that does not include buildings.) Start by checking out this video by Tobias Landberg, Director of Research at the Amphibian Foundation. Tobias discusses why reducing lawns is beneficial for our neighborhood amphibians. Afterward, check out this how-to pdf resource for how to reduce the lawn and a list of excellent plants to incorporate.

Canopy cover (2-4 acorns)

Acorns: 2 - 4 acorns

The Tree Connection: Trees provide us with cleaner air, ample shade (reducing temperature), acts as a conduit for wildlife (like birds), slows and filters stormwater, and are aesthetically pleasing. There are many different types of trees you can consider planting (or preserving) in the landscape. Try to reach 30% canopy cover on the property to start seeing these tree benefits.

Take Action: Add or maintain trees to meet 30% canopy cover on the property and earn 2 acorns. If you are a real tree zealot you can plant or maintain 60% canopy cover for a total of 4 acorns. 30% means about 1/3 of the property will be under leaf foliage once the trees are mature. Start by checking out this video by Cate Hughes, Neighborwoods Manager at Trees Atlanta. Cate gets you started on your journey to add trees to the landscape. Afterward, check out the instructions below for estimating your tree canopy cover and learn how to get a free front yard tree!

Native plants (2 acorns)

Acorns: 2 acorns

The Tree Connection: Native plants support wildlife such as birds and pollinators. We know a ~70% native landscape is sufficient to raise a healthy brood of Carolina chickadees. Trees are one of the best plants to support birds, in particular, oak, black cherry, and willow. Other animals, such as bats, feed on the insects that feed on these plants.

Take Action: Try to make approximately 7 out of every 10 plants on the property native (not including vegetable gardens) and earn 2 acorns. Start by checking out this video by Alex Dileo from the Intown Atlanta Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society. Alex discusses why native plants are important and what the Georgia Native Plant Society is. Afterward,  check out the instructions below for plant calculation instructions, a list of great native plants, nurseries, and planting instructions!

Herbicides/Fertilizers (1 acorn)

Acorns: 1 acorn

The Tree Connection: Herbicides and fertilizers are all too common landscaping tools. While herbicides are sometimes useful to treat extremely noxious plants as part of a restoration project, routine use in the landscape can have unintended consequences harming nearby trees and aquatic life. These herbicides can decrease the plant diversity in our landscapes and lower the health of the soil, harming our trees and gardens. Fertilizers are useful for establishing bright green lawns but we are often unaware of the damages an overly green lawn can cause. Many insects, such as fireflies, spend most of their life in the soil as larvae. Studies show that even common fertilizers, such as urea fertilizer (found in Miracle Grow ™ ), ammonium sulfate (found in most turf fertilizer mixtures), and potassium chloride (potash) cause up to 73% firefly larva mortality within 72 hours after exposure. (EPA, n.d.) (EPA, n.d.) (Lee, 2008).

Take Action: Avoid using broad spread herbicides and lawn fertilizers in your maintenance plan and earn 1 acorn. Herbicides used as part of a targeted short-term management plan for one of the plants on our “remove invasive plants” goal are exempt. Start by checking out this video from Mike McCord from Community Foodscapes. Mike discusses why reducing herbicides and fertilizers is beneficial. Afterward, check out the below instructions for lawn maintenance alternatives.

Care for existing trees (1 acorn)

Acorns: 1 acorn

The Tree Connection: Are there large trees on the property that need care? For tree pruning services only hire ISA arborists and, under their recommendations, opt for tree pruning rather than removal of non-hazardous trees. Care for mature trees by making sure all the non-native vines such as English ivy, wisteria, and kudzu are removed, protect the root zones through mulching, and avoid mowing or weed whacking near the trunk.

Take Action: Perform advanced care on the property’s existing trees annually such as non-native vine removal, proper mulching in the root zone, and only when required, hire only ISA certified arborist for pruning, tree treatment, and advanced tree care needs to earn 1 acorn. If safe and practical, consider leaving snags to support wildlife (see the “provide cover” goal). Start by checking out this video with some tree care tips from Georgia Arborist Association. Afterwards, check out instructions for required tree care.

Remove invasive plants (2 acorns or MINUS 1)

Acorns: (2 acorns) or MINUS 1 if you keep plants on this list

The Tree Connection: Some introduced non-native plants can choke out native vegetation, do not support wildlife the same way as native plants, and can even kill trees and are known as invasive plants. Not all non-native plants pose problems, but plants on this list of invasive species for the Atlanta area should be removed from the landscape to meet this goal. Check out the list and the best way to remove them here.

Take Action: Remove all of the plants on the provided list from the property and earn 2 acorns! If you keep any of these plants, minus 1 acorn. Afterwards, check out the below instructions for the list of invasive plants along with removal tips.

Diverse landscape (2 acorns)

Acorns: (2 acorns)

The Tree Connection: Plant diversity is a good thing. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing and provides resources for more kinds of wildlife, but a diverse landscape is also more resilient to disease and pests. We have lost entire species of trees such as the American Chestnut to one pest. If the landscape is diverse, we are less likely to lose an entire landscape if a new pest or disease moves in.

Take Action: Diversify the property and make sure there is no more than 15% of one type of plant excluding lawn (no more than 1-2 of the same kind of plant for every 10 in your landscape) and earn 2 acorns! Start by checking out this video about plant diversity. Afterward, check out the below instructions for calculating plant diversity and links to recommended plants, plant sources, and planting information.

Leave the leaves (1 acorn)

Acorns: 1 acorn

The Tree Connection: Fallen leaves are a free compost! They break down into rich organic matter and are an important mulch that helps to lock in moisture. As these leaves break down, they return nutrients to the soil, provide food for healthy soil microbes, and increase moisture availability in tree root zones. Consider reusing the leaves as mulch instead of bagging and placing them on the curb.

Take Action: Stop bagging 90% of the leaf litter for 1 year (it is ok to bag up a little, but reuse the bulk of it) and earn 1 acorn! Start by checking out this video by Zoo Atlanta. The zoo highlights different ways they utilize leaves in their landscape. Afterward, check out the below instructions for ideas on how to reuse leaf litter.

Reduce mowing (1 acorn)

Acorns: 1 acorn

The Tree Connection: Mowing a lawn is resource-intensive, contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, increases soil loss, harms tree root zones, and is often done in excess. Save some time and improve soil health by mowing the lawn less frequently.

Take Action: Reduce the lawn mowing frequency to no more than once every 2 weeks for 1 year and earn 1 acorn! Start by checking out this video by Albert Wessinger at Community Foodscapes. Albert discusses the benefits of lawn alternatives that thrive with less mowing. Afterward, check out these instructions for how to grow a low-maintenance lawn.

Grow three layers (1 acorn)

Acorns: 1 acorn

The Tree Connection: Plant diversity is a good thing. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing and provides resources for more kinds of wildlife, but a diverse landscape is more resilient to disease and pests. Diversity does not only mean different types of plants but also different types of structures. Also called structural diversity, it represents the different layers found in a forest (overstory, midstory, and understory layers).

Take Action: Maintain all three layers on the property (at least 1 mid-story tree, 3 shrubs or understory trees, and 10 ground layer perennial or grass) and earn 1 acorn. Start by checking out this video by a Georgia Master Gardener. They discuss structural diversity. Afterward, check out this chart and a resource list of excellent overstory, midstory, and understory species for our area.

Grow a shade tree (2 acorns or MINUS 2)

Acorns: 2 acorns

The Tree Connection: Oaks, tulip poplars, and our other large native shade trees are Atlanta icons. We often opt for small, flowering trees in our yards, but large shade trees provide the most ecosystem services (such as cleaning the air and cooling temperatures). If the space and conditions are right, it is best to plant a canopy tree.

Take Action: Plant one large canopy tree species per 1/8 acres of the property and earn 2 acorns. If you remove a tree more than 6" diameter breast height (DBH) during the year (unless it is dead, dying, or hazardous), minus 2 acorns. Start by checking out this video by Dave Simpson, Planting Director at Trees Atlanta. Dave discusses some great shade tree choices. Afterward, check out the instructions to determine how many shade trees are needed, and to access the list of great canopy trees for our area, plant sources, and planting instructions.  Plus, find a link to our free front yard tree program!

Adopt public trees (2 acorns)

Acorns: 2 acorns

The Tree Connection: All of the trees in our public parks and along streets in the city right-of-way are public property. The trees in these locations belong to the public and help clean the air, cool our cities, and filter stormwater while creating beautiful places; and they likely need your help! English ivy is a non-native vine that smothers mature trees and slowly kills the tree. English ivy often covers the trees in our city parks and sometimes rights of way. You can help by removing vines off these trees when you see them. You can also give your street trees some love by mulching, weeding, watering, or pruning (but make sure you have been trained on proper pruning techniques).

Take Action: Steward your nearby park or public street trees. You must commit to caring for at least 10 trees on your street block or public park once a year by removing any non-native invasive vine, weeding around the tree, and mulching the root zone. With this, you earn 2 acorns! Start by checking out this video by Jacob, the Neighborwoods Supervisor at Trees Atlanta. Jacob discusses how to care for your street trees. Afterward, check out this how-to list of how to care for your street trees, remove English Ivy and other common non-native invasive vines, and receive further instructions on pruning.

Trees & Animals

Wildlife water source (1 acorn)

Acorns: 1 acorn

The Tree Connection: Did you know that birds help pollinate and spread the seeds of trees, especially fruiting trees? Butterflies even can pollinate trees such as hawthorn and black cherry. These busy pollinators benefit from a well-maintained water source such as a birdbath so they can get back to pollinating.

Take Action: Create a water source for wildlife on the property such as a butterfly puddle, birdbath, pond, or maintain a creek that you already have and earn 1 acorn. Start by checking out this video by Susan Meyers at Monarchs Across Georgia. Susan discusses how to make a butterfly puddle. Afterward, check out these written instructions for making and maintaining both a butterfly puddle and a birdbath or steps to steward natural water sources on the property.

Wildlife houses (1 acorn)

Acorns: 1 acorn

The Tree Connection: Bats are important members of the Georgia ecosystem and need native plants and trees! While most species of bats will roost in the cavities, crevices, or foliage of trees, this is limited by the number of available natural roosts. The availability of adequate roosting options can be a major factor influencing bat population levels. Artificial roosts, such as bat houses, can be an important conservation measure, especially where natural roosts are in short supply. A properly located and well-constructed bat house can help support our local bats who will return the favor with natural insect and mosquito control services. If you are not into bats you can consider an eastern bluebird box, purple martin house, or frog tube.

Take Action: Install a bat house, an eastern bluebird house, purple martin house, or frog tube, and earn 1 acorn. Start by checking out this video by Trina Morris, Bat Biologist at The Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Trina discusses bats and how to build a bat house. Afterward, check out these instructions for building a bat house, bluebird house, purple martin house, and frog tube.

No mosquito spraying (1 acorn or MINUS 1 acorn)

Acorns: 1 acorn (or MINUS 1 acorn)

The Tree Connection: While some trees such as oaks are pollinated by wind, most trees need the help of insects and birds to fruit. Some of Atlanta’s most common trees such as cherries, plums, persimmons, linden, paw paw, maples, sweetgum, serviceberry, and black gum all need insects for pollination. While mosquitos are uncomfortable and can carry diseases (all important things to avoid), spraying for mosquitos harms other pollinators and even friendly amphibians such as salamanders! Give alternative mosquito control a try and stop spraying. Consider trying these other less harmful ways to control your mosquito population.

Take Action: Do not spray for mosquitoes for 1 year and earn 1 acorn. If you are spraying, minus 1 acorn. Start by checking out this video by Peter Helfrich, Chair at Bee City USA in Decatur, Georgia. Peter discusses alternative mosquito control methods. Afterward, check out these instructions to understand the type of mosquitoes that might be present at the property and tips for reducing mosquitoes and preventing mosquito bites.

Bird-safe glass (2 acorns)

Acorns: 2 acorns

The Tree Connection: Did you know that birds help pollinate and spread the seeds of trees, especially fruiting trees? Glass collisions kill up to 1 billion birds in the U.S. each year, and almost half happen at home windows. Tree reflections in windows can also be confusing for birds, but using bird-safe glass or quick fixes like window paint, bird tape, and decals are great solutions at home. Consider employing one of these techniques to keep our trees happy and birds safe.

Take Action: Employ a bird-safe glass technique on your windows and earn 2 acorns. Start by checking out this video by Adam, Director of Conservation at Georgia Audubon. Adam discusses bird-safe glass. Afterward, check out these instructions for how to get window decals or make your own.

Provide cover (1 acorn)

Acorns: 1 acorn

The Tree Connection: Did you know that trees are useful even after they have died? Standing dead trees (or snags), logs, and deadwood provide animals and insects with shelter, and food, and ultimately offer plants rich soil in which to grow. Consider leaving snags, fallen logs, and limbs in the landscape, where you will create wildlife watching opportunities for years to come!

Take Action: Create (or maintain) a snag by reusing a dead tree or limbs, or create a habitat pile using sticks, pruning limbs, or rock rubble and earn 1 acorn. Start by checking out this video by Kelly Ridenhour from Trees Atlanta. Kelly discusses how a dead or dying tree can be safely maintained as a snag in the form of a stumpery. Afterward, check out these instructions for creating a habitat with sticks, limbs, rocks, or maintaining cover with a snag or native grasses.

Reduce outdoor lights (1 acorn)

Acorns: 1 acorn

The Tree Connection: Artificial nighttime lights are useful in many situations, however much of this light is overused and wasted to an extent that 99% of the United States population can no longer see the milky way. Artificial nighttime lights can affect our ecosystem in many ways such as increased bird-window collisions and reducing firefly populations as fireflies use light to signal each other. Additionally, this increase in artificial nighttime light, or light pollution as they call it, confuses some trees which fail to become dormant and continue to grow under artificial nighttime light. The continued growth leads to water stress and reduced tree health. Consider turning off unneeded artificial nighttime lights.

Take Action: To earn 1 acorn you must follow the Light Reduction Plan for responsible outdoor lighting and participate in Georgia Audubon’s Lights Out Georgia program. These principles ensure you are only using useful light, using targeted light, using low-level light, using light only while needed, appropriate light colors, and turning off lights during bird migration. Start by checking out this video by Prashant Naik, IDA Delegate at International Dark-Sky Association. Prashant discusses how to reduce nighttime light. Afterward, check out these instructional steps of reducing the use of artificial light at night.

Nature-friendly fencing (1 acorn)

Acorns: 1 acorn

The Tree Connection: Fences are utilized widely for many different purposes, in turn creating irregular patterns across the landscape. Additionally, they are often built with hazardous materials. One study of fences found ensnared animals every 2.5 miles. Some fence materials such as barbed wire are more harmful than rail or wood fences. Additionally, fences often go unmaintained and are installed too close to trees. As these trees grow, the fences girdle and damage tree trunks. Consider leaving fence gaps around trees for both tree and wildlife health and change barbed wire fences to more wildlife-friendly materials.

Take Action: Improve the property fencing for wildlife by 1) eliminating all barbed wire on the property, 2) eliminating spiked or sharp finials on fences and railings, 3) eliminating plastic and mesh netting or using a material too fine to catch animals, and 4) preventing tree damage on existing fences or when planning new fencing to earn 1 acorn. Start by checking out this video by Aware Wildlife. Aware discusses how fences and netting can harm wildlife. Afterward, check out these instructions and ideas for improving your fence for trees and animals.

Clean bird feeders (1 acorn)

Acorns: 1 acorn

The Tree Connection: Birds and trees go hand in hand. Birds use trees as shelter, resting places, social environments, and sources of food. However, trees cannot provide birds with all the food they need, and sometimes we supplement bird diets with a feeder. However, unmaintained bird feeders can spread disease among birds. Think about it if we all shared one plate and never washed it! Washing feeders monthly prevents the spread of diseases such as house finch eye disease and salmonellosis.

Take Action: If you have a bird feeder, commit to cleaning the feeder at least every two weeks to earn 1 acorn. Start by checking out this video by Gabe Andrle, Habitat Program Manager at Georgia Audubon. Gabe discusses the benefits of cleaning your bird feeder. Afterward, check out the cleaning instructions.

Grow fruit (1 acorn)

Acorns: 1 acorn

The Tree Connection: Fruit trees are a favorite for both humans and wildlife with plums, persimmons, blueberries, and beautyberries being some wildlife favorites. These fruits are benefited by having their seeds spread where they can grow a new tree. Plus, you can enjoy some tasty fruit yourself! By adding fruiting plants you gain wildlife-watching opportunities (and new fruit for yourself or others).

Take Action: Plant a fruit tree or three fruit shrubs and earn 1 acorn. Start by checking out this video by Leah Kelley, Farm and Volunteer Manager at Concrete Jungle. Leah discusses some of the best fruit trees and how they benefit both people and wildlife. Afterward, check out these instructions and a list of fruit trees and shrubs for our area, plus plant sources and planting instructions.

Pollinator meadow (2 acorns)

Acorns: 2 acorns

The Tree Connection: Nearly 70% of all plants depend on pollinators to reproduce but did you also know that many of our pollinators are specialist insects that need specific native plants to grow into maturity? This includes many trees such as hawthorn, cherry, plum, persimmon, linden, paw paw, maple, sweetgum, serviceberry, and black gum! Trees cannot provide everything these pollinators need at all life stages and they need native grasses and perennials for food sources. Consider bringing these beautiful butterflies to the property and converting part of the landscape into a pollinator meadow, in turn supporting pollination services for our city’s trees!

Take Action: Convert a 10’ x 10’ patch (approximately 100 square feet) of the landscape into a pollinator meadow and earn 2 acorns. Start by checking out this video by Frank Welsh, BeltLine Arboretum Supervisor at Trees Atlanta. Frank discusses how to make a meadow. Afterward, check out these instructions for making am meadow and this and a list of plants plus resources for plant sources and panting instructions.