Tree Removal in Salem, Oregon
Hazardous, leaning and overgrown trees taken down safely, including trees tight against a house, fence or power line.
Some trees can be saved with pruning. Others are dying, leaning over the house, lifting a foundation, or simply in the wrong place. If you’re looking at one of those, Salem Tree Pros removes trees across Salem and the surrounding towns, including trees that are tight against buildings, fences and power lines.
Call (503) 773-5301 for a free estimate.
Signs a tree needs to come out
- Dead limbs at the top. Dieback in the crown usually means the tree is failing from the roots up.
- A lean that’s getting worse, especially with cracked or heaving soil on the opposite side.
- Mushrooms or conks at the base, which often mean the trunk is rotting inside.
- Deep cracks or hollow sections in the trunk.
- Roots lifting a foundation, driveway or sewer line.
- A trunk too close to the house to prune your way out of the problem.
Not sure? Send a photo. Half the trees people ask us about turn out to be fine with a good pruning.
Do you need a permit to remove a tree in Salem?
Sometimes, yes. Salem protects three kinds of trees on private property:
- Oregon White Oaks measuring 20 inches or more in diameter at chest height
- Significant trees of any species measuring 30 inches or more in diameter, not counting invasive species like Tree of Heaven and Empress Tree
- Riparian trees growing within 50 feet of a waterway
The city treats it as removal if the tree comes down or if 30% or more of its crown, trunk or root system is taken. Ordinary trimming doesn’t need a permit.
When the city approves removal. Permits are granted for reasons such as a hazardous tree that pruning won’t fix, repairing or replacing a structure that has been there since June 2000, water-dependent work, habitat restoration, and certain development projects. A hazard claim typically requires an ISA risk assessment form from a certified arborist, along with photos and a written explanation, submitted through the city’s permit portal. Heritage trees have their own rules and need arborist documentation.
We can look at your tree and tell you whether it falls into a protected category before you apply. Check the current rules on the City of Salem website, since the city updates them from time to time.
How a removal actually works
- Assessment. We look at the tree’s lean, health and what’s underneath it: roof, fence, garden beds, power lines.
- A plan. An open yard means the tree can come down in one piece. Tight quarters mean climbing it and taking it down in sections, roping each piece to the ground.
- Takedown. Limbs come off first, then the trunk in manageable lengths.
- Cleanup. Brush is chipped, wood is hauled out or stacked for you, and the ground gets raked.
- The stump. Grinding it below grade is usually the cleanest finish. Ask about stump grinding
What tree removal costs in Salem
| Tree size | Typical range in Salem |
|---|---|
| Under 30 feet | $200 to $500 |
| 30 to 60 feet | $450 to $1,100 |
| 60 to 80 feet | $900 to $1,700 |
| Over 80 feet, or tight against a structure | $1,500 to $3,000+ |
| Stump grinding, added to a removal | $100 to $400 |
Prices climb when a tree sits close to a structure or power lines, when equipment can’t reach the back yard, when the wood is heavy hardwood, or when a crane is needed. Emergency work after a storm often costs more because of when and how fast it has to happen.
Some crews price by the hour instead of by the tree. Around Salem a three-person crew with a truck and chipper generally runs $210 to $270 an hour.
These are typical Salem-area ranges, not a quote. Two trees the same height can be hundreds of dollars apart depending on what is underneath them and how close a truck can get. Call or text (503) 773-5301, or send a photo to info@salemtreepros.com, and we will give you a custom quote for your tree in writing, free, with no obligation.
Storm and emergency removals
Winter storms in the valley bring down limbs and whole trees, often onto roofs, fences and driveways. If a tree is on your house or blocking access, call (503) 773-5301 and say it’s an emergency. More about emergency tree service
Where we remove trees
We remove trees in Salem and across Marion and Polk counties: Keizer, Brooks, Gervais, Woodburn, Hubbard, Donald, Aurora, St. Paul, Silverton, Mt. Angel, Scotts Mills, Sublimity, Stayton, Aumsville, Turner, Jefferson, Dallas, Rickreall, Independence and Monmouth.
Removals on rural or acreage property are welcome. Call (503) 773-5301 and tell us where the tree is.
Common questions about tree removal
How long does it take? Most residential removals take half a day. Large or tight-access trees can take a full day or two.
Will the yard get torn up? We use plywood or mats under equipment when the ground is soft. Some marking is normal in wet weather, but the yard shouldn’t be wrecked.
Can I keep the wood? Yes, just tell us before we start and we’ll cut it to length and stack it.
What about the roots? Grinding takes out the stump and the main root flare. Deeper roots decay on their own. If you’re replanting or pouring concrete in the same spot, mention it and we’ll grind deeper.
Call (503) 773-5301 for a free removal estimate, or send a photo of the tree to info@salemtreepros.com.
Tell us what the tree is doing
Call or text and describe it, or send a photo. You will get a straight answer and a free written quote before anyone touches the tree.