Savannah Tree Foundation Relocated Nursery Site
The Savannah Tree Foundation moved 5,000 trees to a new nursery site at Bethesda Academy this summer.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Botany
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During the summer of 2026, the Savannah Tree Foundation transferred over 5,000 trees from its former nursery at the SeaPoint Industrial Terminal Complex to a new location at Bethesda Academy. This transition enables the organization to expand its operational capabilities with new on-site facilities.
Why it matters
The new site offers the foundation access to unlimited water for irrigation and provides dedicated space for office and workshop facilities. These improvements are intended to support the group's ongoing reforestation and community tree-giving efforts in the region.
The foundation manages its operations with a core staff of six people. To date, the group has planted more than 6,000 trees in Chatham County and distributed over 12,000 trees since its establishment in 1982.
The players
Savannah Tree Foundation
This local organization focuses on increasing the canopy cover in Savannah and Chatham County.
Bethesda Academy
This historic educational institution now hosts the foundation's primary nursery operations.
The details
Staff and volunteers utilized trucks and trailers to move the thousands of trees between the two Savannah-area sites. The foundation is constructing a greenhouse, tree paddock, and covered potting station to facilitate hands-on workshops at the new location.
Timeline
The Savannah Tree Foundation was established in 1982.
The tree relocation process took place throughout the summer of 2026.
The project is expected to reach completion by November 2026.
The Big Picture
This nursery expansion marks a shift in how local non-profits scale their environmental impact through centralized facility management. It follows the operational expansion pattern set by the Savannah Tree Foundation's urban canopy restoration model.
The new facility will allow the public to participate in hands-on workshops hosted by the foundation starting in late 2026. These events will provide residents with practical education on tree planting and long-term care.
The takeaway
The move to Bethesda Academy provides the foundation with the water and space needed to sustain its multi-decade mission. Local residents can look forward to upcoming educational workshops focused on arboriculture at the new site.
Further reading
For more background on regional plant cultivation and restoration efforts, visit the Savannah Botany section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Savannah Morning News.
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