Redmond Summit Tree Service removes large Douglas firs, western red cedars, hemlocks and bigleaf maples from Redmond properties: trees 80 to 150 feet tall that were small when the neighbourhood was built and now tower over roofs, decks and driveways. Removing a tree that size next to a house is a technical job: it’s climbed, rigged and taken down in controlled sections, or lifted out by crane.
Why Large Trees Come Down in Redmond
Most large removals we see fall into one of these:
- Too close to the house. A fir planted 10 feet from the foundation in the 1980s now has a trunk 3 feet across and limbs over the roof.
- Root rot or decline. Laminated root rot is common in Puget Sound Douglas firs and often isn’t obvious until the tree is unstable.
- Storm risk. A tall, isolated fir that used to be sheltered by a forest edge, now exposed after nearby trees were cleared for new houses.
- Construction. Additions, ADUs and new driveways. Redmond requires a tree preservation plan with an arborist report for construction permits, and new development has to keep at least 35% of significant trees.
- Light, mess and moss. Constant needles in gutters and a roof that never dries out.
How a Large Tree Is Removed Safely
| Method | When it’s used |
|---|---|
| Straight felling | Open space at least as long as the tree is tall, with nothing in the drop zone. Fastest and cheapest. |
| Sectional takedown | Climber removes limbs, then the trunk in short pieces dropped into a cleared area. |
| Rigging | Each section is tied off and lowered on ropes through a pulley high in the tree. Used over roofs, gardens and fences. |
| Crane-assisted | The crane holds each section before it’s cut and lifts it over the house to the street. Used for leaning, decayed or very large trees with no drop zone. More on crane removal. |
Douglas Fir, Cedar and Maple: What’s Different
Douglas fir. Straight, tall and heavy, with relatively shallow roots in wet soil. The trunk wood is strong and predictable to rig, but the size alone means most near-house firs need climbing or a crane.
Western red cedar. Dense canopy and long, flexible limbs. Recent dry summers have caused cedar dieback (browning from the top) across western Washington, and dead cedar tops get brittle quickly.
Bigleaf maple. Often multiple trunks from one base, with long horizontal limbs that are heavy and can fail without warning. Each leader is removed separately.
Permits for Large Trees
Almost every large tree in Redmond is a regulated “significant” tree (6 inches or more in diameter at 4.5 feet), so removal needs a city Tree Removal Permit and one native replacement tree. Trees over 30 inches in diameter are landmark trees: removal needs a Tree Exception Request with an arborist report or photo documentation, and three replacement trees. A tree that’s hazardous goes through a Hazard Tree Declaration instead (no fee). See the Redmond tree permit guide, and note that Redmond is updating its tree code for 2027.
What It Costs
Large-tree removal in Redmond typically runs $2,500–$5,000 per tree near structures, less for trees in open space and more for crane jobs or leaning, decayed trees. Removing several trees in one visit lowers the cost per tree. Full cost guide.
After the Tree Comes Down
- Stump grinding below grade so the spot can be replanted or built on (stump grinding).
- Wood: hauled away, chipped as mulch, or cut into rounds.
- Replacement planting: Redmond requires replacement trees that are primarily native to the Pacific Northwest. Good choices for a smaller spot include vine maple, Pacific dogwood and shore pine.
Related Services in Redmond
Questions We Hear
How much does it cost to remove a large fir tree in Redmond?
A large Douglas fir or cedar (about 80–150 feet) near a house usually costs about $2,500–$5,000 in Redmond. If it needs a crane, leans over the roof, or several trees come down together, it can run higher. A fir in an open yard with room to fell it in one piece costs much less.
Can you take down a big tree without damaging my roof or lawn?
Yes. Near structures we don't fell big trees in one piece. A climber removes the tree from the top down in sections, lowering each piece on ropes (rigging) or lifting it out with a crane. Plywood and mats protect lawns and driveways from the heavy pieces.
How many big trees can I remove from my lot in a year?
Redmond allows up to 2 healthy significant trees per year on single-family lots up to 10,000 sq ft, 4 on 10,001–20,000 sq ft, 6 on 20,001–30,000 sq ft, and 8 above 30,000 sq ft. Each needs a permit and a native replacement tree. Trees over 30 inches in diameter are landmark trees and need a Tree Exception Request. Hazardous trees don't count against the limit.
What happens to all the wood?
Your choice. We can haul everything away, chip the branches and leave the chips as mulch, or cut the trunk into firewood rounds and stack them for you. Large clean fir logs sometimes have salvage value, which can offset part of the cost on very big jobs.