ISA-CERTIFIED ARBORISTS • SERVING SEATTLE, WA

Seattle Tree Service

Removal, trimming & 24/7 emergency tree care from Seattle’s most trusted ISA-certified arborists.

✓ Licensed, Insured & Bonded    ✓ ISA-Certified    ✓ 24/7 Emergency

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Call (425) 584-1233

Tree Work in Seattle

Seattle Tree Service That Works Within Seattle’s Rules

Seattle regulates trees on private property more tightly than any of its neighbors. On a lot that isn’t being developed, most removals are prohibited outright; the ones that are allowed need advance public notice; and all of the work has to be done by a tree service provider registered with the city. Getting that sequence right comes before anyone picks up a saw.

The trees themselves are the other half of the job. Mature Douglas firs, western redcedars and bigleaf maples often stand on tight city lots, close to houses, garages and overhead lines, with access through a narrow side yard or an alley. On hillside neighborhoods like West Seattle, Magnolia and Queen Anne, slope and drainage shape what can come down and how. Our ISA Certified Arborists plan around all of it — and you get a free written estimate that says what’s allowed before anything is booked.

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What We Do

Our Tree Services in Seattle

Safe, efficient removal of hazardous, dead, or unwanted trees on your Seattle property.
Storm damage or a fallen tree? We respond around the clock across Seattle.
Improve tree health, safety, and appearance with expert pruning.
Remove unsightly stumps and reclaim your yard space.
Cabling & Bracing
Structural support to preserve valuable or at-risk trees.
Fast, thorough cleanup after King County storms.

Know the Rules

Seattle’s Tree Rules in Plain English

Seattle sorts trees into four tiers by trunk diameter, measured 4.5 feet above the ground. Here’s what that means for a typical house lot, from SDCI’s Tip 242B (updated October 2025):

✓Tier 4 (6–12 inches): on a developed lot in most residential zones, up to two can come down in any three-year period without SDCI review.
✓Tier 3 (12–24 inches), Tier 2 (24 inches and up) and Tier 1 heritage trees: removal is generally prohibited unless development is proposed or an exemption applies.
✓Exemptions, with SDCI review: hazard trees, emergencies, dead trees, pests or disease, invasive species and accessibility needs.
✓A hazard tree needs an ISA Basic Tree Risk Assessment by a TRAQ-qualified arborist, submitted by a registered tree service provider.
✓Tree removal needs online public notice six full business days ahead, posted on site during the work and for five days after.
✓Street trees in the planting strip are SDOT’s: you need SDOT approval before pruning or removing one.

Not sure which tier your tree falls in, or whether it qualifies as a hazard? We’ll measure it and tell you during a free on-site inspection. Our permit guide compares Seattle with Bellevue, Kirkland and other nearby cities.

Why Homeowners Choose Us

Why Choose Devoted Tree Solutions

Licensed, Insured & Bonded
ISA-certified arborists you can trust — fully covered on every job.
24/7 Emergency Response
Storm damage or a fallen tree? We respond around the clock across Seattle.
Free, No-Obligation Estimates
Honest written quotes with no hidden fees and no pressure — just clear advice.

Seattle Neighborhoods & Surrounding Areas We Serve

Devoted Tree Solutions provides tree removal, trimming, pruning and 24/7 emergency service throughout Seattle. Our ISA-certified arborists cover the entire city — from Ballard to Downtown Seattle — plus the surrounding King County communities.

Inside Seattle

BallardCapitol HillWest SeattleQueen AnneFremontGreen LakeMagnoliaBeacon Hill

Nearby Communities

Call 24/7 for emergency tree service in Seattle and the surrounding King & King County area. Licensed, bonded and insured — ISA-certified arborists serving the Puget Sound since 2010. Free written estimates with every quote.

Seattle Tree Service FAQ

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Seattle?

Often, yes — and in many cases removal isn’t allowed at all. On a developed lot in most residential zones you can remove up to two Tier 4 trees (6–12 inches in diameter) every three years without SDCI review. Larger trees are generally protected unless development is proposed or the tree qualifies for an exemption such as hazard, death or disease. Either way, the work has to be done by a registered tree service provider, with public notice posted in advance.

Who is responsible for the tree in my planting strip?

Trees in the public right-of-way, including the planting strip between the sidewalk and the street, are regulated by SDOT rather than SDCI. You need SDOT approval before pruning, altering or removing one.

Can a storm-damaged tree be removed right away?

Yes, if it has an extreme risk of imminent failure. SDCI allows emergency action before approval, but it must be notified before work begins, and a Tree Removal and Vegetation Restoration application filed within ten calendar days. We answer emergency calls 24/7 at (425) 584-1233 — and our guide to what to do when a tree comes down covers the first hour.

What if my tree is on a steep slope?

Seattle’s environmentally critical areas include landslide-prone areas and steep slopes, along with their buffers. Removing trees there is not treated as routine maintenance and needs SDCI review — hazard trees go through a separate hazard tree removal application. If your lot is on a hillside, check the city’s critical areas mapping before planning any removal.

Do you offer free estimates in Seattle?

Yes — free on-site inspections and written estimates. An ISA Certified Arborist can confirm your tree’s tier and whether removal is allowed before you commit to anything.

Ready for Expert Tree Care in Seattle?

Call (425) 584-1233 or request your free estimate online — available 24/7.

Devoted Tree Solutions
Open 24 hours — Serving King, Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap, Island & Skagit counties

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