Oaks, magnolias, cypresses and hollies would line Webb Bridge Road and Main Street by Feb. 28. The City Council votes Monday on the $1.3 million planting contract.
Alpharetta plans to plant 531 trees along two of its rebuilt roads this winter. The City Council votes Monday, Nov. 9, on a $1,296,535.09 contract for the work.
The trees would go along Webb Bridge Road and along Main Street, which is state Route 9. The contract is with Russell Landscape, and planting would run from November through February.
The details are in the agenda packet for the Nov. 9 council meeting, published Wednesday. The item is listed under new business as 6B.
Where the trees would go
The staff report splits the work into two stretches.
| Webb Bridge Road | Main Street (state Route 9) | |
|---|---|---|
| Section | Phase 2B, from the Big Creek Greenway to Webb Bridge Way | Cumming Street north to Windward Parkway |
| Trees | 271 | 260 |
| Root barrier | 6,900 linear feet | 11,440 linear feet |
| Cost | $637,777.27 | $658,757.82 |
The root barrier keeps tree roots from lifting the new sidewalks and curbs, the report says. The price includes watering for two years so the trees take hold.
Most trees would be about 3 inches across the trunk when planted. The report says landscape work on both road projects “has progressed sufficiently for tree installation to begin.”
Which trees
The city chose a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees. Staff said they weighed the site, the utility lines and how the same species have done on other city projects.
Russell Landscape’s itemized proposals in the packet list:
- 157 oaks, including overcup, pin, Nuttall and swamp white oaks
- 80 hollies
- 69 tulip poplars
- 66 bald and pond cypresses
- 61 magnolias, southern and sweetbay
- 38 American elms
- 36 eastern red cedars
- 24 dawn redwoods
How it is paid for
The money is already in this year’s capital budget, the report says. It comes from two accounts:
- the city’s tree replacement fund, $637,777.27, for Webb Bridge Road
- the state Route 9 landscaping account, $658,757.82, for Main Street
The prices came through the city’s existing on-call landscape installation contract with Russell Landscape. Staff said they checked the prices against other recent tree projects and found them competitive. The contractor must post payment and performance bonds.
The trees carry a two-year warranty. The city’s urban forestry program manager would oversee planting, watering and the warranty period.
Shrubs come later
This contract covers trees only. The report says the city expects a separate price for shrubs on both roads in early 2027.
The reason is timing. Trees survive best when planted in winter, the report says. Shrubs do better planted near or after the last frost.
Utility work is not finished
Not every utility line along Webb Bridge Road has been moved yet, the report says. Public Works told Georgia Power and other utilities earlier this year that planting would start this winter.
The department said it will watch the utility work, record any damage to new trees and coordinate replacements with the company responsible.
Also on Monday’s agenda
- Wills Park sculpture: a six-month loan of Steve McPhail’s copper kinetic sculpture, on the consent agenda at a cost of $2,700. Our earlier story has the details.
- Alpha Loop stormwater: a $71,674 design contract with Halff for stormwater work along the Alpha Loop.
- Energy contract: a second work session on the $3.3 million McKinstry energy savings contract for city buildings. Read what it would cover.
- Legal costs policy: a work session on when the city would repay defense costs for officials and employees sued over their city work.
What it means for you
- Expect planting crews on Webb Bridge Road and on Main Street north of Cumming Street from November. The report says the trees are due in by Feb. 28, 2027.
- You can comment. The council meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the council chambers at City Hall, 2 Park Plaza. The agenda has a public comment period.
- Main Street drivers: the wider road work is still going on. Our road construction and closures page tracks it.
- Walkers and riders: Phase 2B starts at the Big Creek Greenway. Our parks and trails guide covers the greenway.
Have your say