Effingham County, GA Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)

Sec. 30-403 of the county tree ordinance (Ord. No. 2026-023, adopted March 3, 2026) defines 'protected trees' as those requiring a permit for removal or alteration, covering any landmark, specimen, or champion tree plus any tree on the ordinance's tiered species list that meets or exceeds its minimum diameter at breast height. Tier 1, at a 16-inch DBH threshold, lists black cherry, live oak, longleaf pine, and southern magnolia. Tier 2, at a 24-inch DBH threshold, lists 17 species including American holly, American beech, black walnut, blackgum, bluff oak, eastern red cedar, flowering dogwood, post oak, red maple, river birch, southern red oak, sycamore, tulip poplar, and white oak.

Once a tree on either tier reaches its threshold diameter, Sec. 30-442 requires a permit before it can be removed, and Sec. 30-429(c) sets mitigation for removing a protected tree at a 1:1.5 caliper-inch ratio, satisfied by on-site or off-site replanting or a payment into the tree fund under Sec. 30-456. Sec. 30-421 requires all development, construction, and land disturbance to comply with these standards, and a tree protection plan submitted under Sec. 30-443 must identify the quantity and location of every protected tree on the site.

Removal without authorization is treated as a general violation under Sec. 30-473(a)(4): a minimum $500.00 fine per tree, escalating to $1,000.00 per day if uncorrected, with enhanced penalties if three or more protected trees are removed at once, on top of restitution for the tree's appraised value under the trunk formula method.