Seattle, WA Tree Removal Services

Seattle is a tight urban forest: big trees, small lots, power lines, and a tree code that is stricter than most Eastside cities. Removal here is usually a rigging job next to a house, plus an SDCI or SDOT process before a saw starts. MTS Tree and Landscape removes trees across Seattle with ISA-certified arborists, crane capability, and permit help for private-property work.

MTS Tree and Landscape provides permit-aware, ISA-certified tree removal across Seattle neighborhoods.

Key Takeaways

• Seattle regulates private-property tree removal under SMC 25.11, which sorts trees into Tiers 1 through 4.
• Street trees in the planting strip or public right-of-way are handled by SDOT, not SDCI.
• Trees in an Environmentally Critical Area fall under SMC 25.09 and get their own review.
• Typical Seattle removal costs run $600 to $12,000+ depending on size, access, and rigging.
• No unpermitted cuts. We do not remove a regulated tree without the right approval on file.
• 24/7 emergency response for failed or actively hazardous trees.
• Call 425-369-8733 for an on-site removal estimate.

Why Seattle Is Different From the Eastside

On the Eastside, a removal is often a straightforward drop on an open lot. In Seattle, the same tree is usually boxed in by a house, a neighbor's house, a garage, overhead utility lines, and a parked-in street. That means rigging the tree down in controlled sections, sometimes with a crane, and staging the work so the block stays passable.

Seattle's tree code is also stricter. Tier classification, replanting requirements, and right-of-way rules all shape what can legally come down and how. We work through that process before the crew is scheduled.

We remove trees across Ballard, Fremont, Wallingford, Phinney Ridge, Green Lake, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Capitol Hill, the Central District, Beacon Hill, Columbia City, Rainier Valley, West Seattle, Alki, Northgate, Lake City, and Georgetown.

How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in Seattle?

Cost tracks tree size, access, and how much of the tree has to be rigged rather than felled. Tight lots, backyard-only access, and overhead lines all push a job up a tier.

Seattle Tree Removal Cost by Size

Tree size	Typical Seattle cost
Small (up to about 30 ft)	$400 - $900
Medium (about 30 - 60 ft)	$900 - $2,800
Large (about 60 - 90 ft)	$2,800 - $6,500
Very large (90 ft and up)	$6,500 - $12,000+
Crane assistance	Add $2,000 - $5,000

Permit fees, traffic control, and haul-away of large-diameter wood are quoted separately when they apply.

Do I Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in Seattle?

Usually yes, and which office you deal with depends on where the tree stands.

• SDCI reviews trees on private property under SMC 25.11. Tier classification drives whether removal is allowed and what replanting is required.
• SDOT handles street trees: anything in the planting strip, sidewalk area, or public right-of-way. That is a separate permit even if the tree sits in front of your house.
• ECA review under SMC 25.09 applies to steep slopes, wetlands, riparian corridors, and other critical areas, and adds requirements on top of the tree code.

Hazard and emergency work. A tree that has failed or is actively threatening people or a structure can be dealt with immediately, but Seattle still expects documentation. We photograph the condition before and during the work and handle the required follow-up filing so the removal is on record as a legitimate hazard response.

Seattle Tree Tiers in Plain Language

• Tier 1- Heritage trees. Highest protection, removal only in narrow circumstances.
• Tier 2- The largest and most significant trees by species and size. Strong protection and replanting obligations. What people used to call an exceptional tree is mostly Tier 2 now.
• Tier 3- Mid-size significant trees. Regulated, with limits on how many can be removed and how often.
• Tier 4- Smaller regulated trees. Fewer restrictions, but still tracked.

We identify the tier and confirm it in writing before quoting removal, so there are no surprises mid-project.

How We Remove a Tree

• 1. Site assessment. An ISA-certified arborist measures the tree, checks species and condition, and looks at access, targets, and utilities.
• 2. Tier and permit check. We determine SDCI, SDOT, or ECA jurisdiction and handle the filing.
• 3. Plan and written quote. Rigging method, crane need, traffic control, cleanup, and replanting if required.
• 4. Site protection. Lawn, beds, hardscape, roofline, and neighboring property are protected and the drop zone is secured.
• 5. Controlled removal. The tree is climbed or craned and taken down in sections, rigged away from structures and lines.
• 6. Cleanup and haul-off. Wood and debris removed, site raked clean, stump work scheduled if you want it.

Insurance After a Storm

When a tree comes down on a house, garage, fence, or vehicle, the claim goes smoother with documentation. We photograph the failure, note the cause and the tree's condition, provide an arborist statement, and give you an itemized invoice that separates emergency stabilization from full removal. Adjusters want to see that the work was necessary and that the property was protected, and that is exactly what our paperwork shows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove a tree in my own backyard without a permit?

Not if it is regulated under SMC 25.11. The tier determines what is allowed, and unpermitted removal of a protected tree carries real penalties. We check first.

Who handles the tree in my planting strip?

That is a street tree, so it goes through SDOT even though it sits in front of your home.

How long does the permit take?

It varies with tier, ECA involvement, and current review volume. We give you a realistic timeline once the tree has been identified.

What if the tree is an active hazard right now?

Call us. Emergency removal can proceed, and we handle the required follow-up filing afterward.

Do you replant?

Yes. When the code requires replacement planting, we handle species selection and installation.

What does a crane add to the job?

Typically $2,000 to $5,000, and on a tight Seattle lot it is often the safest and fastest way to get a large tree out.

Seattle Tree Removal, Done Right

We are based in Sammamish, and Seattle is a normal week for our crews. If you have a large or hazardous tree that needs to come down, call (425) 369-8733 or email info@nwmts.com and we will get an ISA-certified arborist out to look at it.