Tree Removal Services in Portland, OR

Our approach to tree removal

“Prune and preserve is our goal. Removal is last resort... We don't really want to remove trees for no good reason.”

Damien Carré

Tree removal is never our first recommendation. A mature tree can shade a home, support wildlife, strengthen a landscape, and add character that takes decades to replace. Our job is to decide whether a tree can be preserved safely before we talk about taking it down.

Owner Damien Carré often finds that removal requests start with fear rather than a clear understanding of a tree’s condition. When pruning, cabling, or another form of care can reasonably preserve it, we’ll tell you.

When a tree is dead, no longer viable, or poses an imminent risk to people or property, removal can be the responsible choice. Our tree removal service starts with evaluating the tree, the surrounding property, and the safest path forward.

Before we recommend removal, we look at the whole tree

A tree that leans, drops a branch, or looks sparse is not automatically a removal candidate. We assess the condition in context, including the tree’s structure, health, location, and what is happening around it. The point is to separate a manageable problem from a tree that has become non-viable or unsafe. We consider:

• • The tree’s age, size, health, and overall stability
• • Signs of disease, decay, deadwood, or structural failure
• • Whether weather conditions could increase the risk of failure
• • Proximity to homes, neighboring property, utilities, and other targets
• • The health and location of nearby trees
• • Whether planned construction or remodeling changes the risk around the tree

If the tree can stay, pruning, cabling and bracing, or a professional arborist assessment may be the better answer. Removal stays the last resort.

Request a tree assessment and quote!

We’ll chat with you, answer your questions about tree removal or any of our other services, take a look at your trees, and talk about the next steps.

Or call (503) 929-9437 for more information.

Large tree removal calls for judgment before the first cut

Large tree removal is not just a matter of bringing a tree to the ground. Buildings, landscaping, nearby trees, access, and the condition of the tree all shape the plan. The work should solve a problem without creating new damage around it.

Damien Carré is an ISA Certified Arborist (PN-6405A) and ISA Certified Tree Risk Assessor (#1717). Oregon Tree Care operates under Oregon CCB# 176382 and has served the Portland-area tree community since 2005. Damien also chairs the PNW-ISA committee for local and regional tree climbing championships, serves on the Board of Directors of Ascending the Giants, and founded Expedition Old Growth.

His work has taken him into extraordinary canopies, but the same principle applies in a backyard: understand the tree first. Arborist tree removal should come from an informed risk decision, not the assumption that size alone makes a tree dangerous.

Storm damage and emergency tree removal

Storms can change a tree’s condition in minutes. A split trunk, uprooted root plate, broken major limb, or tree resting on a structure needs a different response than a routine removal estimate.

Our emergency tree service is available by phone 24 hours a day at (503) 929-9437. A real person answers, and we mobilize our crew as quickly as conditions allow. We don’t promise a fixed response time because weather, access, and active hazards determine what can be done safely.

If a storm leaves you unsure whether a tree can be stabilized, pruned, or must come down, call us. We’ll focus first on the immediate risk and the least destructive responsible solution.

Careful work includes the property around the tree

Good tree removal does not end when the trunk is down. Communication, property protection, cleanup, and hauling are part of the job. We take pride in explaining the plan clearly from the estimate through completion and in leaving the site clean when the work is finished.

Cleanup and hauling of removed wood are included. We also document cleared debris with photos so the finished condition of the work area is clear. If stump grinding is something you need, ask about it during the estimate so it can be discussed with the rest of the project.

Free estimates for tree removal

Tree removal pricing depends on the size and condition of the tree, its location, access, risk, and the work needed to complete the job safely. We provide free estimates for tree removal projects. Professional consultations and formal arborist assessments are separate services and should not be assumed to be free.

New clients can also ask about current seasonal specials and availability. Offers change, so call rather than relying on an older promotion you may have seen online.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know when tree removal is necessary?

Removal is usually appropriate when a tree is dead, non-viable, or presents a level of risk that cannot reasonably be reduced through pruning, cabling, or other care. A Certified Arborist or Tree Risk Assessor can evaluate the actual condition before you make the decision.

Do you remove large trees?

Yes. We perform large tree removal when an arborist determines removal is appropriate. The plan depends on the tree’s size, condition, location, surrounding property, and access.

Do you offer emergency tree removal after storms?

Yes. Our emergency line is answered 24 hours a day. We mobilize as quickly as conditions allow and assess whether the safest response is removal, pruning, stabilization, or another immediate action.

Is cleanup included after tree removal?

Yes. Cleanup and hauling of removed wood are included with the work. We take care around the surrounding property and leave the work area cleared when the job is complete.