Thanks to our citizens' love and care for trees, we enjoy a large percentage of canopy cover Island-wide and are proud to be a Tree City USA Community since 2016.

 Trees cool the summer air, filter dust and pollution, provide cover for wildlife, beautify our surroundings, and so much more.  The Town encourages preservation of our urban forest through local zoning regulations and promotes education through the Sullivan’s Island Tree Commission. 

Arbor Day  

Celebrate the importance of trees with our Arbor Day Celebration. 

Tree Removal and Maintenance Permits

Planting a tree in springtime? Check mulched areas and shrub beds for seedlings that need transplanting. The smaller the seedling, the better the chance of survival. Trees such as maple, live oak and dogwood germinate in the spring, and first-year seedlings are easier to move successfully. Oaks and other trees germinate in the fall.  The National Arbor Day Foundation lists nine things you should know about trees. 

Tree Canopy Analysis Mapping

The Tree Canopy Analysis Mapping Project was a grant-funded effort through The Green Infrastructure Center, South Carolina Forestry Commission, and The Town of Sullivan's Island's Tree Commission. Over the course of several months, a group made up of Island Residents, Town Staff, and Tree Commissioners worked with the Green Infrastructure Center to identify the tree canopy cover on the Island and establish priorities and goals for the maintenance and further development of the Island's Canopy. To view the report, click the image below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions regarding tree preservation like, do I need a permit to remove a tree, what trees are protected and further resources can be found in our Tree Removal and Maintenance brochure as well as our Protected Tree List. Please click the links below to view each document in it's entirety. Please visit the Tree Commission page to learn more about application submissions.