Tree Service in Nelson, GA

One small city, two counties

Nelson calls itself Georgia's First Marble City. According to the city, it sits astride the Pickens and Cherokee county line. The historic center is in Pickens County, but annexations to the south mean more of the city now lies in Cherokee: the city lists 0.792 square miles in Cherokee and 0.631 in Pickens. Ball Ground is about three miles south, the unincorporated community of Tate about three miles north, and Jasper about seven miles north.

For tree work, the first question is whether your parcel is inside the city limits. Nelson is an incorporated city, so its own ordinances apply inside the limits. Cherokee County's Article 27 tree ordinance covers unincorporated Cherokee County, and Pickens County's rules cover unincorporated Pickens. A Nelson mailing address can fall in any of the three, so check the county parcel record or your tax bill.

Inside the City of Nelson

Nelson is small. The city says it had a little more than 1,300 residents at the 2000 census, and its City Hall, which also houses the Marble Museum, is at 1985 Kennesaw Avenue. Before removing large trees, clearing a lot or grinding many stumps, call City Hall at 770-735-2211 and ask whether a permit or approval is needed. We have not reproduced city tree rules here because we could not find them published; get any answer in writing.

If your land is in the unincorporated Cherokee part of the Nelson area, Article 27 exempts tree removal by existing single-family and duplex homeowners unless the tree is a Heritage Tree, and homeowners do not need arborist approval to remove dead and diseased trees. Our Cherokee County ordinance guide and specimen and heritage tree guide explain those terms.

Burning yard debris in Nelson

Cherokee County Fire's guidance draws a line between cities. It says the county approach to hand-piled yard debris applies in unincorporated Cherokee County and in the cities of Nelson and Waleska, while Ball Ground, Holly Springs, Canton and Woodstock follow their own outdoor burning ordinances. In practice, Nelson residents follow the county fire department's rules for hand-piled debris.

Both counties are in Georgia EPD's summer open burning ban. Cherokee and Pickens both appear on EPD's list for the Mountain District, so from May 1 to September 30 no yard or land-clearing debris may be burned anywhere in Nelson. The Georgia Forestry Commission requires permits for land-clearing and storm-debris burns outside the ban. Our burning guide covers the details.

Marble, creeks and foothills

The city describes Nelson as sitting in the foothills of the Blue Ridge, at the northern edge of the Piedmont, with a rich vein of marble beneath it. Mount Oglethorpe, at 3,288 feet, is about six miles north. Long Swamp Creek runs to the east and Sharp Mountain Creek to the west. For tree work, that means many lots are sloped, some have rock close to the surface, and creekside parcels need extra care.

Shallow rock can limit how deep a stump grinder can go and changes how a provider plans root removal. Ask about it before you agree a price for stump work. If a tree stands near a creek, read our stream buffer guide before cutting, and ask the city or county about buffers before disturbing soil near the water.

Rail line, roads and power lines

Nelson grew up around the rail line that arrived in 1883, and a railroad still runs through downtown. Trees along a railroad right-of-way or a state route can involve another owner, so confirm the property line before work starts. Georgia Power says no one should climb trees near power lines and asks customers to report trees touching lines. See trees near power lines.

Georgia's Utility Facility Protection Act treats mechanized stump removal as excavation, so a Georgia 811 locate request comes before grinding. See stump grinding for what to ask.

Hiring for a Nelson job

Tell the provider which county your parcel is in and whether it is inside the city, how close the tree is to the house, lines or creek, and whether you want wood left or hauled. Ask for a written scope that lists each tree and the cleanup. For root protection on trees you keep, use the critical root zone calculator.