Family-owned tree removal, trimming, stump grinding, and emergency tree service for Lake Oswego homeowners and property owners. Licensed (CCB #209975), bonded, and insured — with 35+ years of experience handling mature Oregon white oak, Douglas fir, western red cedar, and the established canopy that defines Lake Oswego's wooded neighborhoods. We know Lake Oswego's strict Chapter 55 tree code inside and out.
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Tree Service in Lake Oswego, Oregon
Family-Owned Tree Service Since 1986
We Service The Entire Lake Oswego Area
Fully Licensed & Insured, Free Estimates & $0 Deposit
Experienced Crew With Cutting Edge Equipment
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Lake Oswego's Trusted Tree Service Since 1986
Lake Oswego is one of the most heavily wooded, tree-protective communities in the entire Portland metro. The city's Chapter 55 Tree Code — in place since 1989 and among the strictest in Oregon — is built specifically to preserve Lake Oswego's wooded character. That means tree work here isn't just about skill with a chainsaw; it requires knowing the permit process, the mitigation requirements, and the neighborhood notification rules that apply to most removals. North Woods has worked across Lake Oswego's neighborhoods — First Addition, Lake Grove, Forest Highlands, Westlake, Glenmorrie, and the lake-adjacent properties — for 35+ years. We don't just remove trees in Lake Oswego; we navigate the city's code so our customers don't end up with violations and fines.
Homeowner in Lake Oswego?
From mature oak and Douglas fir removals to lakefront and hillside lot work, we handle every residential job across Lake Oswego — First Addition, Lake Grove, Forest Highlands, Westlake, and Glenmorrie. We manage the Chapter 55 permit process so you don't have to. Family-owned, fully licensed, and trusted by Lake Oswego homeowners for 35+ years.
Building or Managing Property in Lake Oswego?
Lot clearing, site prep, and commercial tree services for contractors, developers, and property managers building across Lake Oswego. We understand the city's development-related tree preservation and protection requirements. Licensed CCB #209975, bonded, and ready to mobilize.
Our Tree Services in Lake Oswego
From permit-managed removals to precision pruning of mature canopy, North Woods handles every scale of tree care across Lake Oswego — with full knowledge of the city's tree code.
Tree Trimming & Pruning
Tree Removal
Professional trimming, crown reduction, and seasonal pruning by ISA Certified Arborists. Normal pruning doesn't require a permit in Lake Oswego — and it's critical for the city's mature canopy.
Safe, controlled tree removal for hazardous, large, and tight-access trees across Lake Oswego — including full management of the city's Chapter 55 tree cutting permit process.
Fast response for fallen trees, storm damage, and hazard situations across Lake Oswego. Emergency and hazardous removals have streamlined permit pathways — we know them.
Land Clearing & Site Prep
Lot clearing and site prep for builders and developers across Lake Oswego. We work within the city's development-related tree preservation requirements from the start.
Emergency Tree Removal
Storm Damage Cleanup
Stump Grinding & Removal
Storm damage cleanup and fallen tree removal after Lake Oswego's wet-season windstorms. Fast response with full debris removal — emergency situations have expedited permit handling.
Complete stump grinding and removal to reclaim your Lake Oswego yard. Standalone service or paired with any permitted tree removal job.
Lake Oswego's Chapter 55 Tree Code — What You Need to Know
Lake Oswego has one of the strictest tree codes in the Portlandmetro — Chapter 55, in place since 1989, specifically designed to preserve the city's wooded character. Here's the reality: most tree removals in Lake Oswego require a permit. Property owners can typically remove only up to two trees of 15 inches diameter or less per calendar year without a Type II permit — and trees that are larger, protected by past development conditions, designated as Heritage Trees, or in Resource Conservation/Protection overlay districts have additional restrictions. Type II removals trigger a 14-day public comment period, neighborhood association notification, and often mitigation (replanting) requirements. Removing a tree improperly in Lake Oswego is a civil violation enforced per-tree, per-day. This is exactly why working with a crew that knows the code matters. North Woods handles the entire permit process for our Lake Oswego customers — application, documentation, arborist reports when required, and mitigation planning. For direct questions, the Lake Oswego Planning Division can be reached at 503-635-0290.
Why Lake Oswego Property Owners Choose North Woods
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Lake Oswego's tree code is complex enough that doing it wrong leads to violations and fines. We've worked through the city's permit process — Type I, Type II, emergency, and hazardous applications — for 35+ years. We handle the paperwork so you don't get penalized.
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Lake Oswego's neighborhoods feature some of the most established tree canopy in the metro — large oaks, towering Douglas fir, mature cedar. These trees require rigging expertise, ISA Certified Arborist knowledge, and careful work near homes. That's our specialty.
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Run by James Cowell out of nearby Beavercreek, North Woods is a true local business — not a national franchise. We've worked Lake Oswego properties for over three decades and we show up the same way for every job.
Frequently Asked Questions — Lake Oswego Tree Service
Quick answers to the questions we hear most from homeowners, contractors, and property owners across Lake Oswego.
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In most cases, yes. Lake Oswego's Chapter 55 Tree Code is one of the strictest in the metro. Property owners can typically remove only up to two trees of 15 inches diameter or less per calendar year without a Type II permit. Larger trees, Heritage Trees, trees protected by past development conditions, and trees in Resource Conservation or Protection overlay districts have additional restrictions. We handle the entire permit process for our customers — contact us before any removal and we'll determine exactly what's required.
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A Type II permit is required for most significant tree removals in Lake Oswego. The process includes a 14-day public comment period, notification to the neighborhood association, a staff decision, and a 7-day appeal period. Type II removals often require mitigation — planting replacement trees, and if the removed tree is native, the mitigation tree must also be native. North Woods manages this entire process for our Lake Oswego customers.
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Removing a tree in violation of Chapter 55 is a civil violation — and it's enforced as a separate offense for each tree and each day the violation continues. Penalties include fines set by the Municipal Court plus enforcement fees. Lake Oswego takes its tree code seriously. This is exactly why working with a crew that knows the code is critical.
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Lake Oswego's wooded character is built on mature Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), western red cedar (Thuja plicata), and bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum). Many are large, mature, heritage-class trees that require specialized care. Our ISA Certified Arborist expertise covers every native Pacific Northwest species.
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No. Normal trimming and pruning does not require a permit in Lake Oswego — the code specifically excludes routine pruning from "removal." However, topping a tree counts as removal and does require a permit. Our ISA Certified Arborists perform proper structural pruning that maintains tree health without crossing into regulated removal.
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Yes. North Woods Tree Service is fully licensed (CCB #209975), bonded, and insured with liability and workers' comp coverage on every job. We provide certificates of insurance to homeowners, general contractors, and property managers on request.
Get Your Free Estimate Today
Whether you have a single tree to remove or need to navigate Lake Oswego's Chapter 55 permit process, North Woods brings 35+ years of local experience and full knowledge of the city's tree code. Free estimates, $0 deposit, full cleanup, and complete permit handling included.