Find a local tree company in Savannah, without the runaround
Coastal Tree Guide is a free referral service for homeowners in Savannah, Chatham County and nearby towns. Tell us about your tree and we'll pass your request along to an independent local tree company serving your area, when one is available.
- Tree removal, trimming, stump grinding and storm cleanup
- Plain-English guides to local permit rules, with official sources
- Free for homeowners. We're not a tree contractor and don't do the work ourselves.
Tree on a power line or someone hurt? Call 911 and stay away. Report downed lines to Georgia Power at 1-888-891-0938.1 For a tree blocking a City of Savannah street, call 311 (8 a.m.–5 p.m.) or the City's 24-hour dispatch at (912) 351-3434.2 More in our emergency guide.
How it works
- Tell us what you need. Use the form. It takes about a minute.
- We pass it along. With your consent, we may share your request with an independent tree company that serves your area.
- A local company may contact you to look at the job and give you a quote. Responses aren't guaranteed. You decide whether to hire them. There's no obligation.
More about how it works and how we're paid
Tree services
Tree removal
Costs, permits and how to hire for taking a tree down.
Emergency tree removal
What to do right now when a tree is down or about to fall.
Storm damage cleanup
Hurricane-season prep and post-storm cleanup.
Tree trimming and pruning
Timing, cost ranges and what good pruning looks like.
Stump grinding
Cost per inch, what's left behind and questions to ask.
Hazard tree assessment
Warning signs and when a written arborist assessment matters.
Live oak pruning
Caring for Savannah's signature trees and the rules that protect them.
Palm tree trimming
UF/IFAS guidance on fronds, timing and the hurricane cut.
Crane-assisted tree removal
When a crane is needed and what to ask about safety and lines.
Lot and land clearing
Clearing for building, with the stricter permit rules that apply.
Do you need a permit?
It depends on which local government your property is in, and a "Savannah" mailing address doesn't always mean the City of Savannah.
Permit quick check. Rules depend on which government your address is in, not your mailing city. In the City of Savannah, lots with an existing single-family home or duplex are exempt from the City's tree permit rules, but street trees on the public right-of-way need written City approval.3 Tybee Island and Garden City require a permit to remove a tree.4,5 Richmond Hill protects trees 16 inches in diameter and larger, and Pooler gives special protection to trees 24 inches and larger and to live oaks 18 inches and larger.6,7 See our tree removal permit guide and areas page for your jurisdiction.
Areas we cover
Historic District, Midtown, Ardsley Park, Southside, Isle of Hope, Skidaway Island, Wilmington Island, Whitemarsh Island, Tybee Island, Thunderbolt, Georgetown, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Port Wentworth, Garden City. Each area's local rules are on our areas page.
Why Savannah trees need local know-how
Savannah's canopy is dominated by big, spreading hardwoods like live oaks, and many of the largest street trees belong to the City, which prohibits trimming or removing them without written approval.3 Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30.8 When Hurricane Helene came through in 2024, Chatham County reported 304 trees down, including 47 on power lines.9 Getting the right crew, and the right paperwork, matters here.
Before you hire anyone: ask for a written quote, a current certificate of insurance you can verify with the insurer, and who is responsible for permits. If someone says they're an ISA Certified Arborist, verify the credential.10
Frequently asked questions
Is Coastal Tree Guide a tree service company?
No. Coastal Tree Guide is a free referral service. We connect homeowners with independent local tree companies. We don't perform tree work and are not licensed or insured as a tree contractor.
Does it cost anything to use Coastal Tree Guide?
No. The service is free for homeowners. We may be compensated by the tree companies we refer you to.
What areas do you cover?
Savannah and nearby communities, including the Historic District, Midtown, Ardsley Park, Southside, Isle of Hope, Skidaway Island, Wilmington and Whitemarsh Islands, Tybee Island, Thunderbolt, Georgetown, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Port Wentworth and Garden City.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Savannah?
In the City of Savannah, lots with an existing single-family home or duplex are exempt from the City's tree permit rules, but street trees on the public right-of-way need written City approval.3 Other towns differ. See our permit guide.
Sources
- Georgia Power, Power line safety. www.georgiapower.com
- City of Savannah, Urban Forestry (311 and 24-hour dispatch for right-of-way trees). savannahga.gov
- City of Savannah, Landscape and Tree Protection Ordinance (approved March 16, 2017, PDF). www.savannahga.gov
- City of Tybee Island FAQ: tree removal permits. www.cityoftybee.org
- Garden City zoning code Ch. 90 Art. VIII, text copy (Zoneomics). www.zoneomics.com
- City of Richmond Hill Unified Development Ordinance, Sec. 15.6 Tree Protection (PDF). www.richmondhill-ga.gov
- City of Pooler Code, Ch. 42 Art. VI, Sec. 42-198 significant trees (PDF). mcclibraryfunctions.azurewebsites.us
- NOAA AOML Hurricane Research Division, When is hurricane season?. www.aoml.noaa.gov
- Chatham County Board of Commissioners, Hurricane Helene recovery bulletin, Sept. 27, 2024. content.govdelivery.com
- ISA (TreesAreGood.org), Verify an arborist credential. www.treesaregood.org