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Live Oak Pruning in Savannah

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

In short: live oaks reward light, careful pruning: remove dead wood, clear the roof and street, and keep weight balanced. Never top them. Several nearby jurisdictions specifically protect big oaks. Pooler treats live oaks 18 inches in diameter and larger as "significant trees,"1 and Richmond Hill protects all trees 16 inches and larger.2

Good live oak pruning

  • Dead, broken and crossing limbs first. UGA Extension's general advice is to remove dead and broken branches first and do structural pruning in late winter, late February to mid-March.3
  • Clearance, not reduction for its own sake. Raise limbs over roofs, driveways and sidewalks, and reduce end-weight on long horizontal limbs rather than cutting them off at the trunk.
  • Never top. Topping removes 50–100% of the leaf-bearing crown and produces weak regrowth.4
  • Hire for experience with big hardwoods. Ask whether an ISA Certified Arborist will oversee the work, and verify the credential.5

Who owns the oak?

Many of Savannah's most famous oaks line the streets and squares, and they belong to the City. The City's ordinance prohibits trimming, pruning or removing trees on public property without written approval and can require compensation for damage.6 The City's Urban Forestry program prunes right-of-way trees. Request service through 311.7 If a contractor offers to "clean up" a street oak, check first.

Protections for large oaks around Savannah

JurisdictionWhat applies to big oaks
City of SavannahStreet and right-of-way trees need written City approval for any trimming or removal. Specimen and exceptional trees are protected on non-exempt properties.6
PoolerLive oaks 18"+ DBH and other trees 24"+ DBH are "significant trees." Removal is decided by Mayor and Council during site and landscape plan review.1
Richmond HillHeritage trees (16–28" DBH) and Historic trees (28"+ DBH) need a permit to remove or improperly prune.2
Tybee IslandLive oak is among the significant species that must be replaced (3"+ DBH like species) or mitigated if removed.8

See the full permit guide.

Cost (national data)

Angi's 2026 national data puts oak trimming at roughly $180–$1,500 per tree, depending on size and access.9 Large, wide live oaks over structures tend toward the upper end.

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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 should live oaks be pruned in Savannah?

Structural pruning is usually done in late winter. UGA Extension recommends late February to mid-March for tree pruning. Dead and broken limbs can come off any time.3

Are live oaks protected in Savannah?

Street and right-of-way oaks in the City of Savannah can't be trimmed or removed without written City approval.6 Nearby, Pooler gives special protection to live oaks 18 inches DBH and larger,1 and Richmond Hill requires permits for trees 16 inches and larger.2

Should live oaks be topped to reduce storm risk?

No. The ISA says topping removes 50–100% of the leaf-bearing crown and leads to weak, breakage-prone regrowth.4

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Sources

  1. City of Pooler Code, Ch. 42 Art. VI, Sec. 42-198 significant trees (PDF). mcclibraryfunctions.azurewebsites.us
  2. City of Richmond Hill Unified Development Ordinance, Sec. 15.6 Tree Protection (PDF). www.richmondhill-ga.gov
  3. UGA Extension, February landscape chores: pruning and weed prevention. site.extension.uga.edu
  4. ISA, Why Topping Hurts Trees (PDF). www.treesaregood.org
  5. ISA (TreesAreGood.org), Verify an arborist credential. www.treesaregood.org
  6. City of Savannah, Landscape and Tree Protection Ordinance (approved March 16, 2017, PDF). www.savannahga.gov
  7. City of Savannah, Urban Forestry (311 and 24-hour dispatch for right-of-way trees). savannahga.gov
  8. City of Tybee Island, Tree Removal Permit Application (2026). www.cityoftybee.org
  9. Angi, How much does professional tree trimming cost? (2026 national data). www.angi.com