Top-rated landscapers in Savannah, GA

Savannah sits on Georgia's Lower Coastal Plain, on ancient shorelines that the New Georgia Encyclopedia says now support Savannah, Darien and Brunswick. This guide covers sandy soil, salt, warm-season lawns, and the city's own rules for trees, tree lawns and watering. For the statewide picture, see the Georgia guide.

Sandy soil and salt

UGA Extension's bulletin Selecting Salt-Tolerant Native Trees for the Georgia Coast notes that many coastal soils are sandy, so they hold less water and fewer nutrients. Salt spray burns leaf margins and tips, and salty soil makes it harder for roots to draw water. Mature plants tolerate salt better than seedlings, and less tolerant plants can do well where they're protected from spray and strong wind. Drip irrigation suits plants that don't tolerate salt on their leaves.

Trees the bulletin rates high for salt tolerance include live oak, southern redcedar, cabbage palm, yaupon holly and southern waxmyrtle. Southern magnolia, red maple, river birch and flowering dogwood are rated low.

Grass for Savannah lawns

Savannah is far south of Griffin, which UGA Extension's lawn bulletin gives as the rough southern limit for tall fescue, so lawns here are warm-season grasses:

• St. Augustinegrass: best adapted from the Coastal Plain to the Piedmont; manages with as little as 5 to 6 hours of filtered sun, but is intolerant to wear and compaction.
• Centipedegrass: best adapted to the middle and lower part of the state; can manage with as little as 6 hours of filtered sun.
• Zoysiagrass: some cultivars manage with 4 to 4.5 hours of filtered sun.
• Bermudagrass: thrives in heat but typically performs poorly in shade.

For salt, the bulletin rates bermudagrass good, zoysiagrass good to fair, and centipedegrass and St. Augustinegrass poor. Seashore paspalum suits coastal regions for its salt tolerance, but UGA doesn't recommend it for home lawns because it needs intensive management. See also when to fertilize your lawn and how much sod costs.

Trees, tree lawns and the city ordinance

Savannah's Landscape and Tree Protection Ordinance (linked from the city's Tree Ordinance Administration page) requires a permit before trees are removed, but exempts residential lots with an existing single-family home or duplex. Two rules still matter:

• Public trees: no one may trim, prune or remove a tree on public property without the city's written approval.
• Hazard trees: a tree an ISA Certified Arborist finds hazardous is exempt, but the arborist's written assessment must be approved by the city before removal.

A tree lawn is the strip between the curb and the sidewalk. Under the city's Tree Lawn Compliance and Policy Guide, its trees are the Park and Tree Department's exclusive jurisdiction, while the adjacent owner handles mowing, mulching and litter. Plantings must stay 36 inches tall or less; stones, gravel, planters, lawn edging and fences are prohibited, and so are herbicides. To request a tree there, call 311. Park and Tree is at (912) 651-6610. Outside city limits, check your own city or county's rules.

Fences in the historic district

In the Savannah Downtown Historic District, fences and gates are a Board Review item, with a required pre-meeting, on the Metropolitan Planning Commission's Certificate of Appropriateness application. Questions go to [email protected] or 912-651-1440.

Watering in Savannah

Savannah sets its own outdoor watering schedule:

• Even-numbered addresses: Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
• Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
• Never: Fridays, or between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The city says the Savannah area, Chatham County and southern Effingham County have a midday limit because saltwater is intruding into the Floridan Aquifer, a drinking water source. The city notes there are some exceptions. See drip irrigation vs. sprinklers.

Local help: Chatham County Extension

The Chatham County UGA Extension office in Garden City (912-652-7981) offers soil and water testing and a Master Gardener help desk at [email protected]. Its page links lawn calendars for centipedegrass, zoysiagrass and St. Augustinegrass, plus the Savannah Tree Foundation's list of local arborists. See also how to test your lawn soil.

What it costs

Savannah quotes vary with lot size, access and the work involved. These national ranges from our cost guides are a starting point:

• Tree removal: about $385 to $1,070 for most trees, and more for very large or hard-to-reach ones. See tree removal costs.
• Tree trimming: about $430 to $640 per tree on average. See tree trimming costs.
• Lawn care: monthly plans about $100 to $500, mowing about $44 to $71 per visit. See lawn care costs.
• Landscaping: about $4.50 to $17 per square foot. See how much landscaping costs.

Hiring a pro in Savannah

• Get two or three written quotes from landscapers, landscaping companies or lawn care services, with the scope, materials and timeline spelled out.
• For tree work near the street, ask the tree service whether the tree is on public property or in a tree lawn; those need the city's approval. For a hazard tree, ask for the arborist's written assessment.
• For a fence downtown, confirm who is handling the historic district review.
• For lawn spraying, ask for the company's Georgia pesticide license. The Georgia Department of Agriculture licenses companies paid to apply pesticides on other people's property.
• Before digging, make sure someone contacts Georgia 811 at least three business days ahead. The service is free.