Portland's expert arborists. For all of Multnomah County.

From canopy pruning on a mature Douglas fir to 2 a.m. windstorm response, we keep Portland trees standing through the wet winters that saturate this city's soil and the dry summers that stress it. Expert arborists, on call around the clock.

Get An Estimate (844) 835-8733

Why Portland

Why Portland trees need a real arborist.

The Certified Arborist Tree Service brings expert arborists, consistent standards, and full insurance to every job in Portland, whether it is a single backyard removal or a citywide storm cleanup.

Portland's mild, wet maritime climate keeps trees green year round, but the deep soil under most yards here stays acidic and saturated for months at a time. Roots that spend winter in standing water do not grip the way they should when March winds arrive.

That local read, knowing which species carry root rot quietly for years and which ones snap first in a windstorm, is the difference between a tree that gets managed and one that comes down on the house.

Schedule a Portland site walk Call (844) 835-8733

Why Portland trees fail

The risks we watch in Portland right now.

When a tree fails here, the cause is usually one of a few problems we check on every Portland site visit.

Laminated Root Rot

Portland's conifers, especially Douglas fir, can carry this rot in the root system for years with no visible sign above ground until the tree goes over in a windstorm. We look for thinning crowns and butt swell as early warnings.

Swiss Needle Cast

This fungal disease thrives in the region's wet spring weather and yellows Douglas fir needles from the inside of the crown out, thinning the canopy and weakening the tree's wind resistance over several seasons.

Winter Windthrow

Saturated soil after a wet Portland winter gives tall conifers less to hold onto. When a windstorm follows heavy rain, root plates can lift clean out of the ground, especially on trees crowded by construction or recent grading.

Bronze Birch Borer

Ornamental birches planted along Portland streets and yards are vulnerable to this borer, which tunnels under bark and cuts off water to the crown. Dieback starting at the top of the tree is usually the first visible sign.

Service area

Our Portland service area.

Serving Portland and the surrounding Multnomah County communities.

Areas we cover

Click an area to learn more about our work there.

What people are saying

Rated 4.9 stars across 140+ reviews.

Real reviews from real customers, straight from our Google Business Profile. Here's what people say once the crew has packed up and the yard is clean.

★★★★★

March 11th, a brief but strong storm came through Goodlettsville and blew over two giant trees in my front yard; one which was being supported by a 3rd tree that was facing and threatening my house. It was an…

Julie Bangs●3 days ago

★★★★★

From the time I inquired w this company about removing a tree that was strongly impacted from the major strong 80 mph winds on March 3, 2023, they provided us w exceptional service in every way . They were…

Jeanne Mason●3 weeks ago

★★★★★

CATS crew was amazing across the board from Mike & Lisa & Joe to the crew that came to our house. The consultation was easy and informative and made me feel comfortable in choosing them. The price was less…

Guy Hunt●1 month ago

Read all 140+ reviews on Google

What we do

A geotagged inventory of every tree on the property: species, age, condition, and recommended work, refreshed annually.

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Trees we know

The Portland species list, and what we watch for.

Local soil, local weather, local pests. Each species here fails in its own way, and we plan around all of them.

Red Maple

Handles Portland's wet winters well but can develop included bark at weak branch unions that split under wet snow load.

Flowering Cherry

A common Portland street and yard tree that is short lived and prone to trunk decay, so older specimens need a closer look before storm season.

European Birch

Attractive but stressed by Portland's dry summers, which makes it a frequent target for bronze birch borer once it is weakened.

Sweetgum

Grows fast in Portland's deep soil but its shallow root plate can lift in saturated ground during a strong winter windstorm.

Littleleaf Linden

Tolerates Portland's clay-heavy pockets well, though dense canopy growth needs regular thinning to shed wind load safely.

Douglas Fir

The backbone of Portland's canopy and the species most often lost to laminated root rot and windthrow when winter soil stays saturated too long.

Local expertise

Why an Expert Arborist Matters in Portland

Portland grows some of the tallest urban conifers in the country, and that height comes with real weight to manage. A crew with a chainsaw treats the tree that already failed; an arborist reads the one that is about to, often years before it shows outside signs.

Every estimate here is walked by an experienced arborist who checks root flare, canopy density, and lean before recommending a cut. Work follows ANSI A300 standards, risk assessments are TRAQ qualified, and you get a written plan plus a current Certificate of Insurance before anyone starts work.

Across Portland

Multnomah County spans dense inner neighborhoods and outlying communities with very different lot sizes, tree cover, and soil drainage, and the risk on a property changes with all three.

Every community in our coverage list has its own page covering the species, soil, and storm exposure we plan around there, so the guidance you get is specific to your street, not a generic regional summary.

Portland FAQ

Local questions, local answers.

Don't see your question? Call us. Every call is answered by a human arborist, day or night.

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Portland?

Often, yes. Portland regulates removal of many trees above a certain size, and rules differ by lot and whether the tree is a protected or heritage tree. We confirm the requirements for your exact address and handle any permit or arborist report needed before work begins.

How fast can an arborist get to my property?

Most estimate visits happen within 24 hours, and storm emergencies get a crew on site the same day. We answer the phone around the clock, all year, not just during Portland's windy season.

Why do so many Portland trees fail in winter storms?

Portland's soil stays saturated for months during the wet season, and saturated soil holds roots much more loosely than dry soil. When a windstorm follows heavy rain, tall conifers with any hidden root rot are the first to go.

How do I know if my Douglas fir has root rot?

Laminated root rot rarely shows above ground until late. Watch for a thinning crown, stunted new growth, or butt swell at the base. An arborist can check root flare and soil for the early signs before the tree becomes a hazard.

What standards do your arborists follow?

Every job runs to ANSI A300 pruning standards and risk assessments are TRAQ qualified. An expert arborist conducts every estimate in Portland, not a salesperson.

Are you insured?

Yes. We carry full general liability and workers' compensation on every crew and can email a current Certificate of Insurance before work begins.

Take back your trees today