Seattle · King County
Tree Removal in Seattle, WA
Arborist-led tree removal, hazard trees, thinning and stump work in Seattle, with the cleanup and haul-off handled by the same crew. Serving Lake City, Wedgwood, Maple Leaf and Northgate and the rest of Seattle.
The trees we deal with in Seattle
Large Douglas fir, western red cedar and bigleaf maple in established neighborhoods. Seattle's tree protection code covers many trees on private property. Every removal starts with an assessment of lean, decay, root condition and what is underneath, because that decides whether a tree is felled in one piece or taken down in sections.
Hills and ridges between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, with steep slopes and ravines through many neighborhoods. On sloped or tight ground we lower wood instead of dropping it, keep heavy equipment off soft soil and leave roots in the ground where they are holding a bank.
Craftsman and mid-century homes on small lots, with a lot of ADU, townhome and redevelopment work. Most of the trees we are asked about here are close to a roof, a fence, a driveway or power lines, so planning the drop zone matters as much as the cut.
Common tree service projects in Seattle
Hazard trees over the house
Leaning, cracked or dying trees within reach of a roof in Lake City or Wedgwood, taken down in controlled sections and lowered instead of dropped.
Removals on slopes
Trees on Seattle hillsides and ravine edges, removed with the stump and roots left in place where they are holding the bank.
Trees in the way of a build
Removing trees approved for removal on a Seattle building site, and protecting the ones that have to stay, before the excavator starts.
Storm damage cleanup
Trees and big limbs down on roofs, cars, driveways and fences after a Seattle windstorm, removed safely and cleaned up.
Stump grinding and removal
Stumps ground down or pulled out with the excavator, then the hole filled and graded so the Seattle yard is usable again.
What our tree service work in Seattle covers
- Tree Removal
- Hazard & Storm-Damaged Trees
- Crown Thinning & Reduction
- Stump Grinding
- Lot Thinning
- Debris Removal
Permits & Rules
Tree removal rules in Seattle
Seattle's tree protection code covers many trees on private property, and removal often requires a permit, notice or replacement. Steep slopes add more review. We confirm requirements before scheduling.
Outside city limits, the King County Department of Local Services sets the rules, and larger rural timber removals can need a Washington DNR forest practices approval. Hazard trees threatening a home are usually treated differently from routine removals, and we document the condition when that applies.
Cost & Timing
What affects the cost of tree service in Seattle
We do not publish flat prices because no two Seattle sites are the same. These are the things that move the number most here.
Slope and access
Steep Seattle lots take smaller machines, more careful staging and sometimes engineering, which adds time compared with flat, open ground.
Tight lots
Narrow side yards and alley access in Seattle mean compact equipment and shorter truck loads. We plan it so it costs less than it could.
Soft ground
Where Seattle soils are soft or wet, over-excavation, fabric and imported rock are often part of the job, and we price that in up front.
Buffers and permits
Work near Seattle's rivers, creeks, lakes or shoreline can need permits and limits on where machines go. That affects scope and schedule more than price.
Haul-off and disposal
How much material leaves the site, and what it is, drives cost. Our own trucks keep that predictable on Seattle jobs.
When to schedule tree service in Seattle
Hazard trees in Seattle are best dealt with before the fall and winter windstorms, but removals happen year round. Storm damage gets priority whenever it happens.
Seattle's till soils hold water through the winter, which is when drainage problems show up. That is a good time to see where water goes, and the dry season is the time to fix it.
Where We Work
Tree service across Seattle
In Seattle, DirtRaptor mostly works the north end, from Lake City and Wedgwood to Greenwood and Ballard. Seattle lots are tight, access is often by alley, and the city has detailed rules for trees and steep slopes.
We take down hazard trees, storm damage, leaning trees and trees in the way of a project across Lake City, Wedgwood, Maple Leaf, Northgate, Greenwood, Ballard, View Ridge and Magnolia.
Stumps can be ground or pulled with the excavator, logs hauled away or left as firewood, and the ground graded after. Because we also run excavation, clearing a site for a build is one job, not three.
We also do tree service nearby in Kirkland, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park and Kenmore. See everything we do in Seattle, read our full guide to tree service, or browse all service areas.
Why DirtRaptor
Why Seattle owners call us for tree service
Owner on the machine
On Seattle jobs you talk to the person who walks the site, writes the quote and runs the equipment.
Trees and dirt, one crew
If the stump has to come out or the ground needs grading after the tree comes down in Seattle, the same crew does it on the same visit.
Our own trucks
Haul-off and deliveries run on our schedule along I-5 and SR 99, not a subcontractor's.
Built for slopes
We plan machine placement, drainage and erosion control for Seattle's sloped ground before we start.
How a tree service job runs
- 01
Arborist Assessment
- 02
Rigging & Drop-Zone Plan
- 03
Removal & Sectioning
- 04
Stump Grinding & Site Repair
Real Jobs
Recent DirtRaptor work near Seattle
Demolition · Edmonds, WA
Driveway Removal & Concrete Prep
Tearing out an old blacktop driveway and prepping the ground for a new concrete pour — broken material hauled off, base left clean and ready.
Demolition · Everett, WA
Condemned 100-Year-Old Shed Teardown
A 100-year-old shed, condemned and unsafe, brought down and hauled off — the site left graded flat and clean.
Questions
Tree Removal in Seattle: FAQs
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Seattle?
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Seattle's tree protection code covers many trees on private property, and removal often requires a permit, notice or replacement. Steep slopes add more review. We confirm requirements before scheduling.
Which trees cause the most problems in Seattle?
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Large Douglas fir, western red cedar and bigleaf maple in established neighborhoods. Seattle's tree protection code covers many trees on private property. Trees with a worsening lean, cracks, dead tops, fungus at the base or heaving roots are the ones to have looked at before the next windstorm.
Can you remove the stump too?
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Yes. On open ground we usually pull the stump with the excavator and fill and compact the hole. On slopes or near foundations we often grind it instead and leave the roots in place to hold the soil.
How much does tree service cost in Seattle?
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It depends on the site, so we quote after a free site walk rather than guessing on the phone. The biggest drivers in Seattle are usually slope and access, tight lots, soft ground. You get a written number with inclusions and exclusions spelled out.
When is the best time to schedule tree service in Seattle?
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Hazard trees in Seattle are best dealt with before the fall and winter windstorms, but removals happen year round. Storm damage gets priority whenever it happens.
Can you work on a tight Seattle lot with alley access?
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Yes. Compact tracked machines and our own trucks let us dig, demo and haul off from alley access, with the alley protected and kept open as much as possible.
Do you handle site prep for ADUs in Seattle?
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Yes. ADU site prep usually includes small demolition, tree work, excavation for the foundation and utility trenching. We do it all with one crew.
How much does tree removal cost?
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Cost is driven by what surrounds the tree far more than by its height. An open-drop removal is a fraction of the cost of the same tree climbed and rigged over a house. Diameter, condition and what happens to the wood all factor in. Assessments are free.
Ready for a real number in Seattle?
Send the address and a few photos. We walk the site for free and come back with a written quote.
