tree-service
How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in Portland, OR? (2026)
How much does tree removal cost in Portland, OR in 2026? Expect $800 to $2,500 for a medium tree and $2,500 to $7,000 for a large fir, plus permit rules.
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How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in Portland, OR? (2026)
Tree removal in Portland, OR costs about $800 to $2,500 for a medium tree of 30 to 60 feet in 2026, $300 to $800 for a small tree under 30 feet, and $2,500 to $7,000 for a large Douglas fir, cedar, or bigleaf maple over 60 feet. Portland's prices run above the national average, and two local factors explain most of the gap: the city's tree code, which requires a permit for removing almost any tree over 12 inches in diameter, and the sheer size of the native conifers that shade the east side and the West Hills.
A 100-foot Douglas fir in a Southwest Portland backyard is not a suburban shade tree. It is a crane job with a four-person crew, a full day of rigging, and a permit that may require a replacement tree be planted. Homeowners who price removal based on what a friend paid in Beaverton for a 40-foot ornamental are often surprised by the quote.
The Permit Comes First
Portland's Title 11 Tree Code requires a permit to remove any tree with a trunk diameter of 12 inches or more on private property, measured at 4.5 feet above the ground. Trees under 12 inches generally do not need one unless they are in an environmental overlay zone, a historic district, or a development site. Street trees in the planting strip need a permit at any size and belong to the city's Urban Forestry program.
The permit itself runs about $150 for a standard private property removal, though fees have been adjusted in recent years, so confirm the current schedule. Removing a healthy tree over 20 inches usually triggers a replacement requirement or a payment into the city's tree planting fund, which can add several hundred dollars to the project.
Dead, dying, or dangerous trees go through a different process. An arborist's report documenting the condition supports a permit that waives most of the replacement requirements, and reputable Portland tree companies handle the paperwork as part of the quote. A company that offers to skip the permit is offering to expose you to fines that start at several hundred dollars per tree and climb with the size.
Which Trees Get Extra Scrutiny
Native species including Douglas fir, western red cedar, Oregon white oak, and bigleaf maple get more attention from Urban Forestry than ornamentals, and removing a healthy one over 20 inches in a neighborhood like Laurelhurst, Eastmoreland, or Irvington can require a replacement of the same species. The city also flags trees in the Johnson Creek and Willamette River overlay zones for environmental review.
What Portland Homeowners Are Paying by Size
Small trees under 30 feet, including flowering cherries, Japanese maples, dogwoods, and young fruit trees, cost $300 to $800 to remove. Most are under the 12-inch permit threshold, and a two-person crew handles the job in a couple of hours.
Medium trees from 30 to 60 feet, including mature maples, birches, hemlocks, and smaller firs, run $800 to $2,500. These are the most common residential removals in neighborhoods like Sellwood, Montavilla, and Multnomah Village, and the job takes a crew of three most of a day with climbing and rigging.
Large conifers over 60 feet are Portland's specialty. A mature Douglas fir, which can reach 120 feet in the West Hills, a western red cedar, or a large bigleaf maple runs $2,500 to $7,000, and a very large fir in a tight lot near Forest Park or in Southwest Hills with crane access can push past $8,000.
A Reference Table for Portland Quotes
Here is what homeowners are seeing on written quotes this year, with permit fees and haul-away included and stump grinding separate:
| Tree | Height | Typical Portland cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small ornamental or fruit tree | Under 30 ft | $300 to $800 |
| Medium deciduous or small conifer | 30 to 60 ft | $800 to $2,500 |
| Large conifer or maple | 60 to 90 ft | $2,500 to $5,000 |
| Very large Douglas fir or cedar | Over 90 ft | $4,500 to $8,000 |
| Stump grinding | Per stump | $150 to $500 |
| Crane rental, when needed | Per day | $1,000 to $2,500 |
Figures are approximate. Quotes on the west side and in Lake Oswego often run above these ranges, and quotes in outer east Portland and Gresham often sit near the bottom.
What Makes a Portland Removal More Expensive
Access is the biggest variable. Portland's older neighborhoods have narrow lots, detached garages, and backyards reachable only through a side gate, which means every piece of a tree gets lowered by rope rather than dropped. A tree over a house, a fence, a neighbor's garage, or a power line takes twice as long as one in an open yard.
Height and species come next. Douglas firs are tall, heavy, and often close to structures, and their removal requires sectioning the trunk from the top down. Bigleaf maples spread wide and drop enormous volumes of debris, and cedars are heavy with a high water content.
The slope matters on the west side. Homes in the West Hills, Council Crest, and along Skyline have hillside lots where a crew cannot set a truck or a crane, and the tree has to be rigged down to a landing zone. That work adds a day and a premium.
Cranes, Stumps, and Debris
Crane removals are common in Portland for large conifers with no drop zone. A crane day runs $1,000 to $2,500 on top of the crew cost, and a company that suggests one for a 100-foot fir over a Sellwood bungalow is being realistic, not upselling.
Stump grinding runs $150 to $500 depending on diameter, and a Douglas fir stump at 36 inches sits at the top of that. Debris hauling is usually included, but the volume from a large tree can fill two or three chipper truckloads, and some companies charge extra beyond the first.
Licensing and Insurance in Oregon
Oregon requires tree service companies to hold a Construction Contractors Board license, and the CCB license lookup shows whether the license is active, bonded, and insured. The license number should appear on the quote, and any company working in Portland should also be able to name the permit process without prompting.
Insurance matters more in tree work than almost any other trade. Ask for a certificate showing at least $1 million in general liability and confirm workers' compensation is current. A crew member injured 80 feet up a fir without comp coverage is a claim against your homeowners policy.
Certified arborists are a plus for large or protected trees. The International Society of Arboriculture credential shows the person assessing the tree knows how to document its condition for a permit and how to take it down without damaging the trees around it. You can compare tree service companies serving Portland and check the CCB number on each before scheduling a visit.
Timing and How to Save
Late fall through winter is the slow season for Portland tree companies, and many discount 10% to 20% for non-emergency removals from November through February. The ground is wet, but the leaves are down, the sap is low in deciduous trees, and crews have open calendars.
Storm season is the opposite. After a windstorm or the ice storms that hit the metro every few years, demand spikes and emergency rates apply. If a tree is leaning after a storm and threatening the house, expect to pay a premium and to wait, since crews prioritize trees on structures.
Bundling saves money. If you have a large removal and two small trees to prune, one visit with one setup and one permit application costs less than three separate trips. For more on hiring outdoor trades in the Portland area and comparing quotes, the home services blog covers every service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Portland?
Yes, for any tree with a trunk diameter of 12 inches or more at 4.5 feet above the ground on private property, and for any street tree regardless of size. Dead or dangerous trees still need a permit, though the process is faster and the replacement requirement is usually waived.
How much does it cost to remove a Douglas fir in Portland?
A mature Douglas fir of 80 to 120 feet typically costs $3,500 to $8,000 to remove in Portland, with crane access adding $1,000 to $2,500 when there is no drop zone. Smaller firs under 60 feet run $1,500 to $3,000.
Will the city make me plant a replacement tree?
Often, yes. Removing a healthy tree over 20 inches in diameter usually requires planting a replacement or paying into the city's tree fund, and the requirement scales with the size of the tree removed. Dead and hazardous trees are generally exempt.
Is stump grinding included in tree removal?
Usually not. Most Portland companies quote stump grinding separately at $150 to $500 depending on diameter, and some charge extra to haul the grindings. Ask for it as a line item.
What happens if I remove a tree without a permit in Portland?
Fines start at several hundred dollars per tree and can reach into the thousands for large or protected species, and the city can require replacement planting on top of the fine. Licensed companies will not skip the permit, which is one reason to hire one.
