DEAD TREE REMOVAL IN SPOKANE, WA
Standing dead trees fail without warning. Dead pines, beetle-killed firs, lightning-struck cottonwoods — they look stable until the day they aren't. We remove dead trees the right way, before they decide to come down on your roof at 3 AM.
A dead tree isn't a tree anymore. It's a slowly decaying structural column that's lost its ability to flex, repair, and hold its own weight. Within 12–24 months of dying, ponderosa pines and Douglas firs in the Spokane region begin shedding bark, dropping branches, and developing fungal rot in the heartwood. After 3–5 years, even mid-sized dead trees can fail catastrophically in a moderate windstorm.
Spokane's dominant tree-killers are bark beetles (mountain pine beetle and Ips), drought stress (especially after the 2015 and 2021 dry summers), root rot from compacted soils around new construction, and lightning. Beetle-killed pine in particular is one of the most dangerous tree types to leave standing — the inner wood becomes brittle and unpredictable, and climbers can no longer trust spurs or rigging.
Dead tree removal is also a liability issue. Washington case law has consistently held property owners responsible for damage caused by dead trees they knew or should have known about — and documented knowledge of a dead tree matters. This isn't legal advice — we simply document every dead-tree assessment in writing for your records.
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What We Handle
Dead pine removal (ponderosa, lodgepole)
Beetle-killed and drought-killed pine across the Spokane region. Often these can't be safely climbed — we use the bucket truck or crane to keep crew off compromised trunks.
Dead fir removal (Douglas fir, grand fir)
Dead firs hold their needles for 12–18 months after dying, which masks the danger. We assess heartwood integrity and choose between climbing, bucket, or crane removal based on what the wood will support.
Lightning-struck trees
A lightning strike can split heartwood internally without showing exterior damage. We probe and assess every strike-damaged tree before deciding removal vs. monitoring.
Hazard tree assessment + written report
Not sure if your tree is dead, dying, or just dormant? We provide written hazard assessments with photographs, severity rating, and recommended action — useful for HOA disputes, insurance claims, and personal records.
Beetle-killed tree containment
Bark beetles can spread from a dead pine to your healthy ones within a single season. Removing infested trees and properly disposing of bark-on wood is critical to protecting the rest of your stand.
Why Property Owners Pick Us
- Experienced climbers who know when not to climb
- Bucket truck and crane available when trunk integrity is compromised
- Written hazard assessments for legal and insurance documentation
- Beetle-aware disposal protocol — we don't move infested wood to your neighbor's yard
- Same-week scheduling for non-emergency dead trees, same-day for active hazards
- general liability insurance + workers' comp on every removal
How We Work
- 1
On-site assessment
We probe the trunk for soft wood, examine the bark for beetle galleries, look for fungal conks at the base, and evaluate the canopy for dieback. You get an honest read on whether removal is urgent or can wait.
- 2
Method selection
Climb, bucket, or crane — based on trunk integrity, surroundings, and access. We don't put a climber on a tree that won't hold weight.
- 3
Controlled removal
Sectional removal with rigging to protect anything underneath. For severely decayed trees we minimize cuts and use the crane to lift large sections out cleanly.
- 4
Wood disposal
Beetle-infested pine is chipped on-site or hauled to an approved disposal site — we don't cut and stack infested wood next to healthy pine. Standard dead wood is chipped or hauled per your preference.
What It Costs
Dead tree removal in Spokane typically runs $600–$4,500 depending on tree size, location, and method. Standing dead pines under 60 feet in clear backyards run $600–$1,400. Large dead trees near structures or requiring crane assistance run $2,500–$4,500. Hazard assessments alone are $150–$250 (credited toward removal if you proceed). Call (509) 204-4333 for a free on-site quote.
Common Questions
Is my tree dead or just stressed?
Look for: no leaves or needles in summer, brittle bark that flakes off in sheets, fungal conks at the base, woodpecker holes, sawdust at the trunk base (beetle frass), or a noticeable lean that wasn't there last year. Any of these warrants a professional assessment — and dormant deciduous trees in winter can fool even experienced homeowners.
How long can a dead tree stand before falling?
Highly variable. Dead conifers in Spokane typically stay structurally sound for 1–3 years after death, then degrade rapidly. A dead pine in an exposed location can fail in the first major windstorm; one in a sheltered yard might stand five years. Don't gamble on it.
Will my insurance cover dead tree removal?
Generally no — homeowner's insurance covers tree removal only when the tree falls and damages a covered structure. Removing a dead tree before it falls is preventive maintenance, which is the homeowner's responsibility. The exception is some umbrella policies and high-value home policies that include preventive arborist services.
Can you remove just the dead branches and leave the trunk?
On a partially dead tree, yes — we can do crown reduction or selective removal. On a fully dead tree, no — once the root system is gone, the trunk will eventually fall regardless of canopy weight, and a dead trunk with no canopy is harder to predict, not safer.
Are dead trees more expensive to remove than live ones?
Sometimes 20–40% more. Dead trees can't safely be climbed in the same way (no live wood to anchor into), often require a bucket truck or crane, and have unpredictable failure modes that add complexity. But they're always cheaper to remove now than to clean up after they fall.
Free On-Site Estimate
We'll come look at the tree, give you an honest assessment, and walk you through your options. No pressure, no upsell.
Related Services & Areas
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That Tree Isn't Going to Remove Itself
You've been looking at it for weeks. Maybe months. You know it's dangerous. You know it could come down on your house, your car, your family. So stop waiting and call us.
We'll drive out, look at the tree, and give you an honest price. No pressure, no upselling, no "well it depends" runaround. Just a straight answer from an experienced Spokane hazardous-removal crew.
Call or text to discuss the hazard • Scheduling depends on safety, weather, location and availability