Top-rated landscapers in Marietta, GA

Marietta is the seat of government for Cobb County, and the county's UGA Extension office is in town on South Cobb Drive. This guide covers the city's tree rules, summer lawn care, yard waste pickup, and what to check before you hire landscapers or a tree service. For the statewide picture, see the Georgia guide.

Marietta's tree protection rules

The city's tree standards are in Section 712.08 of the Zoning Ordinance. They apply to all real property in Marietta but exempt a single residential lot with one dwelling structure of no more than two units, unless it was developed under the Residential Infill Development Overlay District or as a residential development with a council-approved tree plan.

On other projects, no land disturbance permit is issued until the Department of Development Services approves a tree protection and landscaping plan. These rules cover the City of Marietta; outside city limits, check Cobb County's rules. Not sure a tree needs to come down? See how to tell if a tree is dying.

Lawn care through a dry summer

In a post on lawns in drought, the Cobb County Extension office shared a UGA table of how long each grass can go between waterings in mid-summer:

• Bermudagrass: 14 to 21 days, the most drought resistant
• St. Augustinegrass: 12 to 18 days
• Centipedegrass: 8 to 12 days
• Tall fescue: 6 to 8 days
• Zoysiagrass: 5 to 7 days, because of its shallow roots

The office says most Georgia lawns sit on clay soil and need one inch of water per week in summer, applied in the morning, since evening watering loses water to evaporation. Raise the mowing height and cut often enough that no more than a third of the leaf comes off at once.

A Marietta Power and Water newsletter adds mulch around plants and regular checks for leaks, misaligned sprinkler heads and overspray. It also notes that state rules allow watering plants only between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. See the best time to water your lawn.

Pruning crape myrtles

Cobb County Extension calls the crape myrtle "one of the most abused trees" in Georgia landscapes. Lopping off the tops leaves weak regrowth that is more prone to powdery mildew. Repeated every year, it forms swollen knobs, and pollarded trees actually produce fewer flower clusters. For a spot near the house, the office suggests a smaller cultivar such as 'Acoma' (10 to 12 feet) instead of 'Natchez' (25 to 30 feet). See also when to prune trees.

Soil tests and planting season

The Cobb office at 678 South Cobb Drive offers a basic soil test for $10. Mix 10 to 12 samples from the area, bring at least a pint of soil by 2:30 p.m. Thursday, and results are emailed in 7 to 10 business days. Its Master Gardener Help Desk answers lawn and garden questions at 770-528-4070, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Cobb's Extension agent names November through February as the prime months for planting hardy trees, shrubs and ground covers in Georgia. See lawn soil tests.

Yard waste pickup in the city

Under Marietta's sanitation rules, brush and yard trimmings are picked up on Wednesdays. Branches must be six feet or shorter, no more than four inches thick and under 100 pounds, and grass and leaves go in biodegradable paper bags at the curb before 7 a.m. The city won't take logs or stumps, and contractors and tree surgeons must dispose of trees and oversized limbs. Excessive yard waste (48 bags or more) carries a $100 per load fee.

What it costs

Quotes from Marietta landscaping companies vary with lot size, slope and how much debris has to be hauled away. These national ranges from our cost guides are a starting point:

• Tree removal: about $385 to $1,070 for most trees, and more for very large or hard-to-reach ones. See tree removal costs.
• Tree trimming: about $430 to $640 per tree on average. See tree trimming costs.
• Lawn care: monthly plans about $100 to $500, mowing about $44 to $71 per visit. See lawn care costs.
• Landscaping: about $4.50 to $17 per square foot. See how much landscaping costs.

Hiring a pro in Marietta

• Get two or three written quotes. Cobb's Extension agent recommends a written agreement with a firm price, what it includes, a work schedule and a completion date.
• For tree work, confirm the quote covers hauling logs, stumps and large limbs, since city pickup won't take them. See stump grinding costs.
• For new construction or redevelopment, ask who prepares the tree protection and landscaping plan the city must approve before it issues a land disturbance permit.
• For lawn spraying, ask lawn care services for their Georgia pesticide license. The Georgia Department of Agriculture licenses companies paid to apply pesticides on other people's property.
• Before digging, make sure someone contacts Georgia 811 at least three business days ahead. The service is free.