Palm Tree Trimming in Savannah and Tybee Island
In short: remove only fully brown fronds. Never cut live green fronds above the "9 o'clock to 3 o'clock" line, and skip the "hurricane cut." UF/IFAS reports that over-pruned palms were more likely to have their crowns snapped off in storms.1 National data puts trimming at about $75–$400 per palm.2
UF/IFAS palm pruning rules of thumb
- Don't remove green fronds. Palms draw nutrients from older fronds. Removing green ones can weaken the palm.1
- Remove only fully brown or dead fronds, plus flower and fruit stalks if they're a nuisance.1
- No hurricane cuts. Stripping a palm down to a few upright fronds doesn't protect it. UF/IFAS notes such palms were more likely to lose their crowns.1
- No climbing spikes. Spikes leave permanent wounds in palm trunks.1
- Timing: UF/IFAS says there's no single best time to prune palms.1 Angi suggests spring, before hurricane season.2 Either way, avoid over-pruning before storms.
What palm trimming costs (national data)
| Palm height | Typical national range per tree |
|---|---|
| Under 15 ft | $75–$200 |
| 15–30 ft | $150–$400 |
| 30–60 ft | $250–$900 |
| 60+ ft | $400–$1,500 |
Source: Angi 2026 national data, which puts trimming itself at $75–$400 per tree.2 Not Savannah quotes.
Permits
On Tybee Island, where palms are common, pruning doesn't require a permit, but removing a tree does.3 Garden City also doesn't require a permit for pruning.4 Removal rules elsewhere vary. See the permit guide.
What to tell a palm trimming company
- "Brown fronds and seed pods only, no green fronds above horizontal."
- "No climbing spikes."
- Ask whether debris haul-away is included.
- Get it in writing. Ask for a written quote that says what's included: cutting, hauling, cleanup, stump grinding and who pulls any permit.
- Check insurance yourself. Ask for a current certificate of insurance (general liability and workers' compensation) and call the insurer to confirm it's active. Garden City requires tree removal contractors to be licensed, bonded and insured,4 and Thunderbolt's ordinance sets minimum insurance for contractors.5
- Verify credentials. If someone says they're an ISA Certified Arborist, check the ISA credential lookup.6
- Get more than one quote for non-emergency work, and be cautious of anyone asking for full payment before work starts.
Want a local company to quote your palm tree trimming? Tell us what you need and we'll pass your request along to an independent tree company serving your area, when one is available. It's free for homeowners, and responses aren't guaranteed. We're a referral service, not a tree contractor.
Request a referral Phone: (843) 608-8793
Areas: 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.
Frequently asked questions
Should I give my palm a hurricane cut before storm season?
No. UF/IFAS reports that palms given a hurricane cut were more likely to have their crowns snapped off. Remove only fully brown fronds.1
How much does palm tree trimming cost?
National 2026 data from Angi puts trimming at about $75–$400 per palm, higher for very tall palms.2
Do I need a permit to trim a palm on Tybee Island?
No. The City of Tybee Island says pruning doesn't require a permit. Removing a tree does.3
Sources
- UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions, Pruning palms. gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu
- Angi, How much does palm tree maintenance cost? (2026 national data). www.angi.com
- 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
- Town of Thunderbolt Code Sec. 5-329, tree ordinance (copy hosted by the Savannah Tree Foundation, PDF). www.savannahtree.org
- ISA (TreesAreGood.org), Verify an arborist credential. www.treesaregood.org