Free referral service for homeowners. Coastal Tree Guide is not a tree contractor, does not perform tree work, and is not licensed or insured as a tree service company. Learn more
Call: (843) 608-8793Get matched

Tree Trimming and Pruning in Savannah

Last reviewed October 18, 2026 · General information, not legal advice · Sources at the bottom

In short: national 2026 data puts professional trimming at about $460 on average, with most jobs between $270 and $1,800.1 For most trees, late winter is the best time. Dead or broken branches can come off any time. Street trees in the City of Savannah need written City approval before anyone trims them.2

When to prune in coastal Georgia

UGA Extension recommends pruning trees from late February to mid-March, before dormancy ends, and removing dead and broken branches first.3 Spring-flowering trees are often pruned right after they bloom. For storm prep, have hazardous limbs over the house dealt with before hurricane season (June 1).4

What good pruning looks like, and what to refuse

  • Good: removing dead, diseased, crossing and rubbing branches; raising low limbs over roofs, driveways and sidewalks; thinning selectively; cutting just outside the branch collar.
  • Refuse topping. The ISA explains that topping removes 50–100% of the leaf-bearing crown, starves the tree, invites decay, and produces weakly attached regrowth that breaks more easily.5
  • No climbing spikes on trees you're keeping. Spikes wound the trunk. UF/IFAS specifically warns against them on palms.6

See also live oak pruning and palm tree trimming.

What trimming costs (national data)

Tree heightTypical national range
Under 25 ft$80–$350
25–50 ft$150–$800
Over 50 ft$300–$1,800

By species, Angi lists oaks at $180–$1,500, pines at $200–$1,800, palms at $100–$1,500 and crepe myrtles at $80–$400.1 These are national figures, not Savannah quotes.

Pruning rules in Savannah-area towns

  • City of Savannah: no trimming, pruning or removal of trees on public property (including street trees) without written approval from the City.2 The City's Urban Forestry program handles right-of-way tree pruning. Request it through 311.7
  • Tybee Island: pruning doesn't require a permit.8
  • Garden City: no permit is needed for pruning.9
  • Richmond Hill: ordinary pruning is allowed, but the City's code says such work shall only be performed by a certified arborist, and "improper pruning" of a protected tree requires a permit.10
  • Thunderbolt: the ordinance we reviewed requires a permit to trim specimen trees or hazard/nuisance trees on private property.11 Confirm with Town Hall.

Full details are in our permit guide.

Hiring a trimming company

  • 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,9 and Thunderbolt's ordinance sets minimum insurance for contractors.11
  • Verify credentials. If someone says they're an ISA Certified Arborist, check the ISA credential lookup.12
  • 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 tree trimming and pruning? 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

When is the best time to trim trees in Savannah?

For most trees, late winter. UGA Extension recommends pruning from late February to mid-March, before dormancy ends. Dead and broken branches can be removed any time.3

How much does tree trimming cost?

National 2026 data from Angi puts the average at about $460, with most jobs between $270 and $1,800 depending on size, species and access.1

Can I trim the oak in front of my house in Savannah?

If it's on the public right-of-way (often the strip between the sidewalk and street), the City's ordinance requires written City approval before trimming, pruning or removal.2 Call 311 to ask for Urban Forestry service.7

Get matched with a local tree company

Free for homeowners. We're a referral service, not a tree company. Prefer to talk? Call (843) 608-8793. If there is immediate danger or a downed power line, call 911 first.

By submitting you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. We are not a tree contractor and do not perform tree work.

Sources

  1. Angi, How much does professional tree trimming cost? (2026 national data). www.angi.com
  2. City of Savannah, Landscape and Tree Protection Ordinance (approved March 16, 2017, PDF). www.savannahga.gov
  3. UGA Extension, February landscape chores: pruning and weed prevention. site.extension.uga.edu
  4. NOAA AOML Hurricane Research Division, When is hurricane season?. www.aoml.noaa.gov
  5. ISA, Why Topping Hurts Trees (PDF). www.treesaregood.org
  6. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions, Pruning palms. gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu
  7. City of Savannah, Urban Forestry (311 and 24-hour dispatch for right-of-way trees). savannahga.gov
  8. City of Tybee Island FAQ: tree removal permits. www.cityoftybee.org
  9. Garden City zoning code Ch. 90 Art. VIII, text copy (Zoneomics). www.zoneomics.com
  10. City of Richmond Hill Unified Development Ordinance, Sec. 15.6 Tree Protection (PDF). www.richmondhill-ga.gov
  11. Town of Thunderbolt Code Sec. 5-329, tree ordinance (copy hosted by the Savannah Tree Foundation, PDF). www.savannahtree.org
  12. ISA (TreesAreGood.org), Verify an arborist credential. www.treesaregood.org