Why Leaves Change Color from Green to Glory (pdf)

Alabama Champion Red Maple

Map Location of Champion Tree

Decatur Urban Forestry Program
Fast Facts:

• Decatur's Urban Forestry Program began in 1995 in response to damages during Hurricane Opal.
  
  
• Approximately 95% of the diseased or damaged trees removed in Decatur are at the request of residents.
  
  
• Decatur has approximately 11,000 street trees.
  
  
• The following species compose approximately 45% of the street tree population: Willow Oak, Water Oak, Pin Oak and Flowering Dogwood.
  
  
• Most of the water/willow oaks are approximately 80 years old. According to the University of Florida, the average life expectancy for these species in street tree situations is 40.
  
  
• 36% of Decatur's street trees are classified as either large or very large. This number is well above the average of 24% for other Tennessee Valley communities with current inventories.
  
  
• Decatur has more large street trees/street mile in residential areas than any Municipality in Alabama with a current inventory.
  
  
• Decatur removes and replaces approximately 0.4% of the total street tree population annually. This compares to 1% in Raleigh, NC.
  
  
• Decatur has planted an average of 4 trees for every 1 removed over the past 10 years.
  
  
• Municipal trees in Decatur are inspected on a work order basis. The City of Decatur uses inspection forms adapted from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) to inspect potential hazardous trees and are inspected by an ISA Certified Arborist.