LARGE TREE REMOVAL IN SPOKANE, WA
Some trees are too big for the average tree service to touch. 130-foot pines. 70-inch cottonwoods. Old-growth larch with branches the size of telephone poles. We have the crew, the climbers, the rigging, and the crane access to take down the biggest trees in the Spokane region — safely.
When a tree gets above about 80 feet, removal stops being a chainsaw job and starts being an engineering job. Wind loads on a 120-foot pine generate forces measured in tons. A single pine top section can weigh more than a small car. Get the cuts wrong, the rigging wrong, or the drop zone wrong, and you don't get a do-over.
Most general tree services cap out around 60–80 feet because that's what their equipment, insurance, and crew experience supports. We don't. We've taken down ponderosas and Douglas firs over 130 feet, cottonwoods with 6-foot diameter trunks, and old-growth larch on properties up the Mt. Spokane road. The Inland Northwest grows some of the biggest urban-interface trees in the country, and we've spent decades learning how to remove them without damaging what's around them.
Large tree removal also means large debris. A single mature pine produces 8–12 pickup loads of chip-and-haul. We bring the chippers, the dump trucks, and the cleanup crew to handle it in one visit — not three.
Large Tree Removal — On-Site Estimate
Need Large Tree Removal? Request an On-Site Estimate.
Send your name, number, and property address. Pricing follows an on-site look at the tree, access, and what is underneath.
What We Handle
Tall conifer removal (100–130+ ft)
Large ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and grand fir near homes, garages, and power lines. Climbed sectionally with high-line rigging, or crane-picked when access allows.
Massive hardwood removal (cottonwood, maple, oak)
Old cottonwoods along the Spokane River, mature silver maples in established neighborhoods, and oversized oaks. These trees often have heavy lateral branches that require careful weight calculations before each cut.
Multi-stem and codominant giants
Trees with multiple trunks fused at the base behave unpredictably during removal. We use specialized rigging to control each stem independently.
Crane-required removals
When the tree is too dead to climb, the drop zone too tight, or the surrounding property too valuable, we bring the crane. Pick-and-place removal with zero ground impact.
Multi-day removals
Some trees are big enough that they're a 2–3 day project. We schedule in tight blocks so you're not living with a half-removed tree for a week.
Why Property Owners Pick Us
- Crew experienced on trees over 130 feet — most local services cap at 80
- Bucket truck (60-ft reach), 60-ton crane, and 24-inch chipper available
- general liability insurance — many insurers require this for trees over 75 ft
- Climbers using SRT (single rope technique) for tall ascents
- Heavy haul-off trucks — we don't leave you with a debris pile
- Property protection: lawn matting, padded slings, finished-surface protection
How We Work
- 1
Engineer the removal
We measure tree height (clinometer), trunk diameter, lean, drop-zone size, and structural risk. For trees over 100 ft, we calculate section weights and rigging loads before quoting.
- 2
Permits + utility coordination
City of Spokane right-of-way permits for any removal affecting sidewalks or streets. Avista line drops for any tree within 10 ft of primary lines. We handle the paperwork.
- 3
Sectional removal
Climber works top-down, cutting and lowering sections via rigging or crane. Ground crew bucks on the drop zone, chips, and stages haul-off.
- 4
Trunk + stump
Trunk felled (when safe) or sectioned and lowered. Stump ground 6" below grade as an add-on, or left at finish-cut height per your preference.
- 5
Site restoration
Lawn raked, hardscape pressure-blown, debris hauled. Photos before-and-after for your records.
What It Costs
Large tree removal in Spokane typically runs $1,800–$8,500 depending on tree height, species, complexity, and crane requirements. Standard 100-ft pine in a clear yard runs $1,800–$3,200. Large hardwoods near structures run $3,500–$6,000. Crane-required removals on 120-ft+ trees run $5,000–$8,500. Stump grinding and hauling are quoted separately. Free on-site estimates — call (509) 204-4333.
Common Questions
What counts as a 'large' tree?
Industry-wide, 'large' usually means anything over 80 feet tall or 30 inches in trunk diameter. In the Spokane region, mature ponderosa pine routinely hits 100–130 feet, and cottonwoods along the river can exceed 6 feet in diameter. We specialize in trees above the 80-ft threshold most general services avoid.
How long does a large tree removal take?
Most large tree removals are a single-day project for an experienced crew. Trees over 120 ft, in extremely tight access, or requiring crane setup can run 1.5–2 days. We give you a realistic time estimate during the on-site quote.
Can you remove a giant tree without damaging my lawn?
Mostly, yes. We use plywood or rubber matting for crane outriggers and chipper paths, and we drop sections onto staged drop zones rather than open lawn when possible. Some compaction in the immediate work zone is unavoidable but typically recovers in one growing season.
Is it cheaper to remove a large tree in winter?
Sometimes 10–20% cheaper, yes. Frozen ground supports equipment better (less lawn damage), deciduous trees have less weight to manage without leaves, and demand is lower so scheduling is faster. The exception is during active storms or extreme cold, which adds complexity and cost.
Will my homeowner's insurance pay for removing a large tree before it falls?
Almost never. Insurance covers tree removal only after a tree damages a covered structure. Preventive removal of a healthy or even moderately declining large tree is the homeowner's responsibility. The exception is some high-value home policies that include arborist consultation as a perk.
Request an 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
Request a Spokane Tree Removal Estimate
That Tree Isn't Going to Remove Itself
Large, dead, leaning, split, storm-damaged and difficult-access trees need a clear look at the tree, access and what is underneath.
Photos help us review the tree, access and nearby structures before the on-site estimate.
Removal and cleanup options in writing.
Hazardous and difficult-access trees.
Spokane and nearby North Idaho.