Tree Removal in Savannah, GA
Get free quotes from independent local tree companies for tree removal, storm-damaged trees and stump grinding in Savannah, Pooler, Richmond Hill and nearby.
Get a Free Quote Call (727) 300-6656
When a tree needs to come down
Most homeowners in the Savannah area don't want to lose a big tree. Sometimes it is the right call, though. Common reasons people ask for tree removal quotes:
- The tree is dead or mostly dead.
- A storm split the trunk or left it leaning toward the house.
- Roots are lifting a driveway, walkway or slab.
- The tree is crowding the roof, a pool or a planned addition.
- A pine or oak came down in a storm and has to be cut up and hauled.
Savannah GA Lawn Care is a free quote service, not a tree company. We connect Savannah-area homeowners with independent local lawn care, landscaping and tree companies for free, no-obligation quotes. The company you choose quotes, contracts and does the work directly with you.
Tree removal permits in Savannah and nearby
"Savannah tree ordinance" is one of the most common questions people search before a removal. Here is what we can say with confidence:
In the City of Savannah, trees on city property, including the tree lawn between the sidewalk and the street, are managed by the City. Rules for trees on private lots depend on your property type and whether development is involved. Before removing a large tree, check with the City of Savannah (savannahga.gov) or your county. Unincorporated Chatham County, Pooler and Richmond Hill have their own rules.
This is general information, not legal advice.
Practical steps: confirm where your property line and the tree lawn are, ask the company whether they will check permit needs for your address, and get any approval in writing before the work starts. If a company tells you a tree is hazardous, ask them to put that assessment in writing too.
Storm-damaged trees and cleanup
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and searches for tree removal around Savannah peak from August through October. Hurricane Matthew in October 2016 left many trees and power lines down across Chatham County, according to the National Weather Service, including several large trees on homes along U.S. Highway 80 on Tybee Island. Heavy rain matters too: Tropical Storm Debby dropped 10.44 inches at Savannah's airport in August 2024, and much of Chatham County's soil is poorly drained with a seasonal high water table, according to NRCS soil surveys.
After a storm:
- Stay clear of downed power lines and report them to your utility.
- Photograph the damage before anything is moved.
- Ask for quotes that separate emergency cutting, hauling and stump grinding, so you can compare them line by line.
- If the tree is in the street or the tree lawn, contact the City of Savannah or your county.
Smaller limbs and debris can often be handled as a yard cleanup job. Prevention is cheaper than cleanup: see tree trimming in Savannah and our hurricane-season tree prep guide.
Stump grinding after removal
Cutting a tree leaves a stump unless the quote says otherwise. Stump grinding chews the stump down below the soil line so the spot can be leveled and replanted. Some homeowners leave a stump in a back corner; most want it gone from the front yard or anywhere the mower runs.
Questions to ask about stump grinding:
- Is it included, or a separate line item?
- How far below grade will they grind, and are large surface roots included?
- Will they haul the grindings away or leave them as fill?
- Will they fill the hole with soil so it can be seeded or covered with new sod?
Tree removal prices in Savannah
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Tree removal | About $652 average |
| Stump grinding | About $264 average |
| Tree trimming (if the tree can be saved) | About $356 average; most $180–$650 |
The size of the tree, how close it is to the house or lines, whether a crane or bucket lift is needed, backyard access, and whether wood is hauled or left in rounds all change the price. See the full Savannah price guide for other services.
Before you hire
- Georgia has no state arborist license. Ask whether anyone on the crew holds ISA certification (a private credential; verify at isa-arbor.com).
- Ask for proof of liability insurance, and workers' comp for crews.
- Ask whether a City or County permit is needed for your address.
- Get the scope in writing: removal, hauling, stump grinding and lawn repair.
How free tree removal quotes work
Tell us about the job
Share your address, what you need and any timing. A photo or rough size helps.
Hear from local companies
Independent companies that serve your part of the Savannah area follow up to quote. We usually reply the same day.
Compare and choose
Compare scope, price and timing. There is no obligation, and the company you pick works with you directly.
Get your free quote
Tree removal across the Savannah area
Local companies take tree removal requests across Chatham, Bryan and Effingham counties, including:
- Savannah
- Pooler
- Richmond Hill
- Skidaway Island
- Wilmington Island
- Southside & Georgetown
- Midtown & Ardsley Park
- Rincon
- Tybee Island
Related services: tree trimming, storm and yard cleanup and sod installation to patch the spot afterward. For hiring checks, see Georgia lawn and tree license rules.
Frequently asked questions
How much does tree removal cost in Savannah, GA?
Published cost guides put tree removal in Savannah at about $652 on average, with stump grinding around $264 on average. These are estimates, not quotes. Large trees, tight backyards, trees leaning over the house and storm-damaged trees usually cost more, so get two or three written quotes that spell out what is included.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Savannah?
Trees on city property, including the tree lawn between the sidewalk and the street, are managed by the City of Savannah. Rules for private lots depend on your property type and whether development is involved. Before removing a large tree, check with the City or your county. This is general information, not legal advice.
Is stump grinding included in a tree removal quote?
Not always. Many quotes cover cutting the tree down and hauling the wood, with stump grinding listed as a separate line. Published guides put stump grinding in Savannah at about $264 on average. Ask how deep the grinder will go, whether surface roots are included and who removes the grindings.
A storm knocked a tree into my yard. What should I do first?
Stay away from any downed power lines and report them to your utility. Take photos of the damage before anything is moved. Then request quotes for cutting up and removing the tree. If the tree is on or near the street, contact the City of Savannah or your county, since trees on public property are handled separately.
What should I ask a tree removal company before hiring?
Georgia has no state arborist license, so ask whether anyone on the crew holds ISA certification, verifiable at isa-arbor.com. Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' comp for crews, whether a permit is needed, and whether stump grinding, hauling and lawn repair are in the price.
Get your yard and trees in shape before the next storm season.
Free, no-pressure quotes across Savannah, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Wilmington Island, Skidaway Island, Rincon and Tybee.