Portland · Removal
Tree Removal in Portland
To remove a private tree 12 inches or larger in Portland, you apply to Urban Forestry, a tree inspector confirms the tree, and you replant. For dead, dying and dangerous trees the review is quick. For healthy trees it is more involved.
Call availability varies by area and time of day. Calls are answered by an independent tree service provider.
Which Portland permit applies
| Tree | Permit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private tree under 12 inches, on a developed lot outside overlay zones | None | Confirm the lot has no overlay or condition of approval |
| Private tree 12 inches or larger: dead, dying or dangerous | Removal and replanting permit, simpler review | City verifies the condition. Replanting usually tree for tree. |
| Private tree 12 inches or larger: healthy | Removal and replanting permit, fuller review | Larger trees and multiple removals can involve public notice and more replanting |
| Street tree, any size | Street tree removal permit | Granted for limited reasons. Replanting required. |
| Tree in an environmental or other overlay zone | Zoning code rules apply instead | Handled through the permitting bureau |
The application, step by step
Measure and identify
Diameter at 4.5 feet, species and location on the lot.
Apply to Urban Forestry
The online application asks for the reason for removal and photos.
Inspection
A city tree inspector visits to confirm size, species and condition.
Decision and conditions
Approval lists how many trees to replant, of what size, and by when.
Remove, replant, report
Work must be done within the permit's validity period, and the replanting is verified.
How the city judges dead, dying and dangerous
For a tree claimed to be dangerous, the City Forester first asks whether a practical alternative would remove the danger. Pruning out a dead limb or reducing a cracked one may be enough.
The permit is granted if those alternatives would not substantially reduce the danger, or would cost far more than the tree is worth. A dead tree qualifies plainly. A dying tree qualifies when decline is advanced and irreversible.
One provision surprises owners. The code is concerned with diseased wood staying on site, so with certain diseases the city may direct how the wood is handled. Dutch elm disease is the main case, and infected elm wood must be disposed of promptly.
Rules around the permit
Removing a regulated tree without a permit can bring enforcement, including fines and required replanting based on the size of the tree removed.
In an emergency, a tree that is an immediate danger can be made safe first. Photograph it and contact Urban Forestry as soon as possible afterward for a retroactive permit.
The contractor must hold an Oregon Construction Contractors Board license. Look up the CCB number, and ask for proof of liability and workers' compensation coverage.
The tree in the planting strip
Portland's arrangement for street trees is unusual. The tree stands in the public right-of-way and is regulated by the city, but the adjacent property owner is responsible for maintaining it and for the sidewalk it may lift.
You cannot remove a street tree because it drops leaves or you would prefer a different one. Permits are issued when the tree is dead, dying, dangerous, or in limited other circumstances, and a replacement from the city's approved list is required.
Sidewalk damage is handled through a separate repair process, and root cutting for the repair needs Urban Forestry's review so the tree is not destabilized.
Removal logistics that come up in Portland
- Narrow lots and close houses
- Inner eastside lots are often 50 feet wide. Most removals are climbed and rigged.
- West Hills slopes
- Steep driveways and soft shoulders limit crane and truck placement. Wood may be winched uphill.
- Overhead lines
- PGE and Pacific Power distribution lines run along most streets. Work within 10 feet needs utility coordination.
- Wet season
- From November to April lawns rut easily. Ask for ground protection mats.
- Wood disposal
- In emerald ash borer quarantine areas, ash wood has movement restrictions.
What adds to the price here
Start with the height-based ranges in the tree removal cost guide, then add local factors.
- Permit fee
- The city charges an application fee, which is revised periodically.
- Replacement trees
- Buying and planting them, or the in-lieu payment.
- Tall conifers
- Douglas-firs of 100 feet and more take a full crew day or a crane.
- Decayed maples
- Bigleaf maples with hollow limbs cannot be rigged from normally.
- Stump
- Grinding is separate and useful where the replacement tree will go nearby.
Portland removal questions
How long does a Portland tree permit take?
Simple dead, dying or dangerous cases are commonly decided within a few weeks, depending on inspection workload. Healthy-tree applications that require notice take longer.
What do I have to plant?
The permit specifies the number and minimum size. For a single dead or dangerous tree it is commonly one replacement. Larger or multiple healthy trees can require more, or an inch-based payment.
Can my tree service apply for the permit?
Yes. Many do it as part of the job. The owner is still responsible for meeting the replanting condition.
Are there trees that are harder to get approved?
Yes. Heritage Trees designated by the city, large healthy native trees and trees in overlay zones face the tightest review.
Tree Removal help in Portland
Call to be connected with an independent tree company that works in Portland, OR, or request a callback.
(888) 555-0142Call availability varies by area and time of day
Limbwright is a referral service. Your call or request goes to an independent tree service company that sets its own prices and schedule. Ask for proof of insurance and a written scope before work starts. How this works
Request a callback
Leave a number and a tree service provider in your area will call you.