Tree Service FAQs
Common questions from Portland metro homeowners, contractors, developers, and property managers about tree service in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties — answered honestly by James and the North Woods crew.
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Pricing & Estimates
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Yes. Every estimate is completely free with $0 deposit required to schedule the work. We provide clear, upfront written pricing — no hidden fees, no high-pressure sales tactics. Request an estimate online or call (503) 656-5802 to get started.
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The only honest way to give an accurate price is an on-site estimate — and we do those for free.
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Stump grinding pricing varies based on several factors — stump diameter, wood density, access to the stump, root spread, and how many stumps are being ground. Stump grinding can be a standalone service or paired with any tree removal job. Like all our work, the most accurate way to get a real price is an on-site estimate — which is free and comes with no obligation. Call (503) 656-5802 or request an estimate online and we'll give you an honest written quote.
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Tree work is highly variable — the same-looking job in two different yards can have very different costs based on access, hazards, terrain, and what's underneath. Anyone giving you firm pricing without seeing the job in person is either guessing or padding the price to cover their guess. We come out, look at the actual job, and give you an honest written quote on the spot.
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No. We work on a $0 deposit model — you pay nothing to schedule the work, and you only pay after the job is complete and you're satisfied.
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Cash, credit card, check, and invoice.
Licensing & Insurance
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Yes — fully on all three. CCB License #209975 (verifiable on the Oregon Construction Contractors Board database), bonded, and insured with general liability and workers' comp coverage on every job, every employee, every day. We provide certificates of insurance to homeowners, general contractors, and property managers on request.
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The Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) licenses tree service companies and other construction contractors in Oregon. A valid CCB license means the contractor has met state bonding and insurance requirements, has agreed to dispute resolution rules, and is legally allowed to operate. Hiring an unlicensed contractor in Oregon can leave you personally liable if something goes wrong — never hire a tree service without verifying their CCB number. Ours is #209975.
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Yes. The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is the gold-standard credential for professional tree care. We have ISA Certified Arborist expertise on staff for technical pruning, hazard assessment, and any job that benefits from formal arboricultural knowledge.
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Yes. We provide certificates of insurance to homeowners, general contractors, residential developers, HOAs, and property management companies on request. Just let us know who the certificate needs to be addressed to and we'll have it sent over.
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We carry full general liability insurance specifically because tree work is high-risk. In the rare event of accidental property damage, our insurance covers repairs. Every job is also planned with rigging, drop zones, and protective equipment specifically to prevent damage in the first place.
Services & What We Do
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We offer a full spectrum of tree care and land services across the Portland metro:
Tree Removal (residential and commercial)
Emergency Tree Removal (storm response, hazard situations)
See our full services list for more.
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Both. We serve homeowners, general contractors, residential developers, property management companies, HOAs, and commercial property owners across the Portland metro. From single-tree removals to multi-acre subdivision site prep — we handle every scale with the same crew, equipment, and standards.
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Yes. Land clearing, lot clearing, and subdivision site prep are core services for our commercial customers. We work with general contractors, residential developers, and landowners across Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties. Fully bonded, permitted, and ready to mobilize at project scale.
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Yes. We provide selective logging and timber harvest services for rural landowners across Oregon — particularly in Clackamas County and surrounding rural communities. We follow all Oregon Department of Forestry requirements and handle everything from small selective harvest to larger timber projects.
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Yes. Tree trimming, crown reduction, and seasonal pruning are some of our most-requested residential services. Done correctly, professional pruning extends tree life, prevents storm damage, and protects nearby structures. We use ISA Certified Arborist expertise on every pruning job.
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Yes — in most cases, full cleanup is included in the estimate. We chip everything on site and either drop the chips for you (free to customers who want them for landscaping or mulch) or haul them elsewhere to dump — that's all built into the quoted price. For larger jobs involving multiple truckloads, burning, or an abundance of removal debris, there may be an additional cleanup cost based on the time and disposal required — and that cost is clearly outlined in the written estimate before any work begins. No surprise charges, no hidden cleanup fees — just honest pricing for what the job actually requires.
Permits & Regulations
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It depends on your city and the tree's location and size. Here's the quick breakdown for the Portland metro:
Portland: Permit required for any street tree, and for private trees 12+ inches diameter at 4.5 feet height.
Oregon City: Permit required for street trees, trees on non-residentially zoned property, and trees in environmentally sensitive areas.
Lake Oswego: Comprehensive tree code under Chapter 55 — most removals require permits.
Beaverton: Permits required for street trees and trees in protected zones.
Tigard: Permits for street trees, sensitive lands, heritage trees, and development-required trees.
Beavercreek (unincorporated hamlet): Typically no permit required on private residential property.
For your specific situation, we can help you figure out the requirements before any work begins.
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Fines vary by city, but they can be severe. Portland fines can run up to $1,000 per tree per day for unpermitted removal. Some Oregon cities have issued fines up to $138,000 for major unpermitted removal projects. Always verify permit requirements before any tree removal — or work with a licensed contractor who can verify them for you.
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We help every customer understand whether their job requires a permit and guide them through the permit process for their specific city. For commercial projects and developments, we coordinate directly with city planning departments. We don't issue permits ourselves (that's the city's job), but we make sure you know what's required before we start work.
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A Heritage Tree is a tree formally designated by a city as historically, ecologically, or culturally significant. Portland alone has over 300 designated Heritage Trees. Heritage Trees almost always require special permits and city council approval before any work — including pruning. Most of our customers don't have Heritage Trees, but if yours is designated, we'll work through the proper permit process.
Service Areas
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We serve the entire Portland metropolitan area:
Clackamas County: Oregon City, Beavercreek, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Happy Valley, Sandy, Estacada, Canby, Molalla
See our full service areas page for more details.
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For most jobs, we focus on the three-county Portland metro. For larger commercial projects — particularly timber harvest, multi-acre land clearing, and subdivision site prep — we'll travel further into Oregon. Contact us about your specific location and we'll let you know.
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Yes. North Woods Tree Service is headquartered at 23533 S Woodview Ln, Beavercreek, OR 97004 — and has been operating out of Beavercreek since 1986. Our crew lives in the area, works in the area, and you'll see us at the Beavercreek Grange Hall, Clarke's General Store, and around town.
Scheduling & Process
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Most emergencies — fallen trees, storm damage, hazardous situations — get same-day or next-day dispatch. Call (503) 656-5802 for urgent service. Our response time is typically faster than crews based outside the Portland metro because we're locally headquartered.
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Most single-tree residential removals take 2-6 hours depending on size, access, and cleanup scope. Larger or more technical removals (hazardous trees, tight access, multi-tree jobs) can take a full day or longer. Land clearing and commercial projects are scheduled across multiple days based on the project scope.
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Routine jobs are typically booked 1-3 weeks out depending on the season. Emergency jobs are dispatched same-day or next-day. Spring and fall are our busiest seasons — for non-urgent work during peak season, expect a slightly longer lead time. We'll give you a realistic timeframe at the estimate.
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It varies by tree species and goal:
Pruning and crown work: Best done in late fall through early spring when trees are dormant.
Hazard removals: Anytime — don't wait if a tree is unsafe.
Storm damage: Anytime, immediately.
Land clearing: Anytime, but summer/early fall typically allows for the most efficient large-scale work.
Our ISA Certified Arborist can advise on optimal timing for your specific job.
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A few simple things help:
Clear vehicles, BBQs, planters, and outdoor furniture from the work area
Mark anything fragile or special (statues, sprinkler heads, etc.)
Make sure pets are secured indoors
If you have a gate code or access instructions, share them when scheduling
That's it. We handle everything else, including full cleanup at the end.
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For the estimate: Not necessarily — if the trees are visible from the front yard or accessible, we can quote without you being home and follow up by phone or email. For the work: Not necessarily — many customers schedule jobs while they're at work and come home to a finished project and clean property.
Still Have Questions?
Every property and every tree is different — and after 35+ years, we've seen just about every kind of question come up. If we didn't answer yours above, just reach out. Free estimates, $0 deposit, and honest advice from James and the North Woods crew.