A single-tax colony from 1894 with its own tree ordinance

Tree Service in Fairhope, AL

Fairhope has its own tree rules and pickup limits. We plan around both.

Get a Free Estimate (251) 355-2051

Every estimate done in person around Mobile and nearby towns
The written quote lists what is and is not included
Debris and stump handling decided in advance

Fairhope Has Its Own Tree Rules

Tree Service in Fairhope runs under one of the more detailed local tree ordinances on the Eastern Shore. The city's Tree (and Landscape) Ordinance, No. 1444, covers its residential zones (R-A, R-1 and its sub-districts, R-2, R-3 and R-3 PGH) as well as the Central Business District and trees on city property and rights-of-way. A City Horticulturist reviews removals of public trees and landscape plans tied to building permits. The Tree Committee gives an advisory opinion, and appeals go to the Fairhope Municipal Court. If you are planning a removal, especially one tied to construction, check with the city before work starts.

City trees and street trees

Under the ordinance's process, the City Horticulturist may approve removal of a tree on city property or right-of-way when it serves the public interest or when reasonable mitigation is possible. That can mean planting replacement trees or paying into replacement funding. The criteria include a planned improvement, disease or hazard, conflicts with utilities or sight lines, and conflicts with other laws. A permit can be denied if the tree is vital to the city's natural heritage or a reasonable alternative exists. Trees between the sidewalk and the street may be city trees, so ask before anyone prunes them.

Where the wood goes

Fairhope's curbside yard-waste collection is weekly and strict. Logs must be 8 inches in diameter or less and limbs 6 feet or shorter. Stumps and root balls are not accepted, plastic bags are not allowed (use paper yard bags), and the weekly limit is 2.5 cubic yards. The rule that matters most for tree work: the city does not pick up debris from commercial landscaping or tree service contractors. When we take a tree down in Fairhope, we haul the wood ourselves. Our quotes say so in writing.

Wet ground, older trees

Fairhope sits on a sloping plateau, from sea level at the bay to about 122 feet downtown, and it averages about 69 inches of rain a year. During Hurricane Sally, gauges in Fairhope recorded 12.41 and 12.44 inches in three days. Saturated soil is when big trees go over, and the older parts of town near the bay have many large, old oaks. Those are worth keeping, and keeping them means pruning: removing deadwood, cutting back limbs over the roof and taking weight off long, heavy branches.

Leaseholds and power

The Fairhope Single Tax Corporation, founded with the colony in 1894, still holds about 1,800 leaseholds on more than 4,000 acres in and around the city. If your home is on a leasehold, read your lease for any terms on trees or improvements. Fairhope also runs its own electric utility, which has grown from 1,400 customers in the 1940s to more than 7,100. Call the city's utility at 251-928-8003 for trees on its lines, and call us at (251) 355-2051 for everything else. Get a free estimate

Fairhope Rules and Records

Tree Ordinance No. 1444. Fairhope's Tree (and Landscape) Ordinance applies to properties in the CBD and residential zones R-A through R-3 PGH and to trees on city property or right-of-way; the City Horticulturist reviews removals, and appeals go to the Municipal Court.
Curbside limits. City yard-waste pickup takes logs no thicker than 8 inches and limbs no longer than 6 feet, up to 2.5 cubic yards a week, and does not take stumps, root balls or debris from tree service contractors.
Sally rainfall. Gauges at Fairhope 1.5 WSW and Fairhope 2 NE recorded 12.44 and 12.41 inches of rain from September 14 to 17, 2020.
City electric. Fairhope's own electric department serves more than 7,100 customers, up from 1,400 in the 1940s, through five substations.
Single-tax leaseholds. Founded on November 15, 1894 as a single-tax colony, Fairhope still has about 1,800 Single Tax Corporation leaseholds covering more than 4,000 acres.

Our Services in Fairhope, AL

Fairhope Questions

Do I need permission to remove a tree in Fairhope?

For trees on city property or right-of-way, yes: the City Horticulturist decides. For a private tree in a residential zone, especially when the work is part of a building permit, check with the city's planning office before removal. We can describe the tree's condition in writing for your application.

Can I put the wood from my tree removal out for city pickup?

Not if a tree service did the work. Fairhope does not collect contractor debris, and even resident yard waste is limited to logs 8 inches thick or less and limbs 6 feet or shorter. We haul away what we cut.

Who trims trees near the power lines in Fairhope?

Fairhope runs its own electric utility. Call it at 251-928-8003 about trees touching its lines. Once the lines are safe, we can handle the rest of the tree.

Is it worth saving a big laurel oak?

Laurel oaks grow fast but are usually shorter-lived than live oaks and decay faster behind wounds. A sound one can be pruned and kept for years. A hollow or split one near the house is a removal candidate, and we will show you what we see.

Free Estimates in Fairhope, AL

Free estimates in Fairhope, with hauling included in every removal quote.

Call (251) 355-2051 Free Estimate