All Things BendBend, OregonLocal guide

Bend home guide · checked October 23, 2026

Tree Services in Bend, Oregon

Ponderosa pines, junipers, wildfire season and bark beetles make tree care here different from the valley. Every Bend-area tree company we could find, checked on its own site, plus when to prune pines, how to limb for wildfire, what the City requires and how to compare quotes.

By All Things Bend · Updated October 23, 2026 · 16 companies checked on their own websites

Find the right companyWildfire checklist
  • 16tree companies serving Bend
  • Oct–Decbest window to prune or thin pines
  • 6 ftlimb-up height for trees over 18 ft
Huge orange-barked old-growth ponderosa pines with bitterbrush underneath in the Deschutes National Forest
Old-growth ponderosa pines in the Deschutes National Forest. Photo: U.S. Forest Service (public domain).

Quick picks by the job

A dead pine over the garage, a juniper crowding the driveway, a fire-season limb-up and a stump in the way of a new patio are different jobs. Tap one and the company list narrows to match.

Big or hazard removal

Dead, leaning or storm-damaged pines near the house.

Crane work

Tight lots where a tree can’t be dropped in one piece.

Wildfire fuel reduction

Limbing, thinning, ladder fuels and defensible space.

Arborist consult or risk check

Is the tree healthy or a hazard? Reports, assessments, plans.

Pruning & trimming

Structure, clearance from the roof, deadwood, fruit and ornamental trees.

Stump grinding

Grind below grade so you can replant or landscape.

24/7 or storm response

A tree on the roof, car or driveway after wind or snow.

Redmond, Sisters & beyond

Companies that list Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver, La Pine or farther.

Bend tree companies at a glance

Credentials are as each company states them on its own site. Verify the license and arborist number yourself before you sign (links in licensing).

CompanyBasedCredentials listedAreasGood for
Central Oregon Tree Experts541-480-9488BendSays its team is experienced arboristsBend, Sisters, Prineville, La Pine, Redmond, Crescent, Sunriver, MadrasBig or hazard removal, Crane work, Wildfire fuel reduction, Pruning & trimming, Stump grinding, 24/7 or storm response
Arbor 1 Tree Service541-846-8018BendFive ISA Certified Arborists on staff; CCB #168332Bend and Central OregonBig or hazard removal, Wildfire fuel reduction, Arborist consult or risk check, Pruning & trimming, Stump grinding
Fagen Tree & Chips541-382-4997Bend (since 1988)Calls itself “the only Logger Certified Arborist in Central Oregon”; Describes its crew as ISA Certified ArboristsBend and Central Oregon; snow removal in Bend and SunriverBig or hazard removal, 24/7 or storm response, Wildfire fuel reduction
Urban Forest Tree Service541-419-4277BendISA Certified (PN-9329A); TRAQ tree risk qualifiedBend and Central OregonBig or hazard removal, Wildfire fuel reduction, Arborist consult or risk check, Pruning & trimming, Stump grinding
Simply Arbor Tree Care541-977-1504BendISA Certified Arborist; Degrees in forestry and horticulture; 20 years of experienceBend and Central OregonBig or hazard removal, Wildfire fuel reduction, Arborist consult or risk check, Pruning & trimming, Stump grinding
Spar Tree Arborist916-619-6317BendJake Skrbina, ISA Certified Arborist PN-9543A; Oregon CCB #244748Bend, Redmond, Sunriver, Sisters, Tumalo, Camp ShermanBig or hazard removal, Wildfire fuel reduction, Arborist consult or risk check, Pruning & trimming
Lolo Tree Works503-367-5638Central OregonErin Carpenter, ISA Certified Arborist; CCB #240912Bend, Tumalo, Sisters, SunriverBig or hazard removal, Pruning & trimming, Stump grinding, 24/7 or storm response, Wildfire fuel reduction
Arborist Bend (Sean Shriver)541-480-5358BendSean S. Shriver, ISA certified since 2000 (TX-1068A); CCB #207175Bend, Sunriver, Eagle Crest, Broken Top, Tetherow, Awbrey Butte and morePruning & trimming, Big or hazard removal
Deschutes Arbor Care541-668-3928Bend & TumaloSays it has served Central Oregon for over 26 yearsBend, Tumalo, La Pine, Sunriver and nearbyBig or hazard removal, Wildfire fuel reduction, Pruning & trimming, Stump grinding, 24/7 or storm response
Applied Forestry541-480-8838BendISA Certified ArboristsCentral OregonBig or hazard removal, Wildfire fuel reduction, Arborist consult or risk check, Pruning & trimming, Stump grinding
Bend Tree Service541-322-0442Bend & RedmondLicense #184931; Fully licensed and insuredBend, Redmond, Terrebonne, Tumalo, Crooked River RanchBig or hazard removal, Pruning & trimming, Stump grinding, 24/7 or storm response
Osprey Arbor Works541-728-3533Southern BendLicense #100558Bend (focus on southern Bend, Deschutes River Woods, Century West, Tetherow), Sunriver, La Pine, SistersBig or hazard removal, Wildfire fuel reduction, Pruning & trimming, Stump grinding
Ax To Grind Tree Care541-537-3411South county (Three Rivers area)CCB #257434; Licensed, bonded and insuredBend, Redmond, Sunriver, La Pine, Three RiversBig or hazard removal, Pruning & trimming, Stump grinding, 24/7 or storm response
4 Brothers Tree Service541-815-2342RedmondCCB #215057; Licensed, bonded and insuredRedmond, Prineville, Bend, Deschutes, Sisters and moreBig or hazard removal, Pruning & trimming, Stump grinding, Wildfire fuel reduction, 24/7 or storm response
Prevish Tree Service541-316-8223RedmondAll work overseen by Dave Prevish, ISA Certified ArboristBend, Redmond, Sisters, Prineville, Powell Butte, Eagle Crest, La Pine, MadrasArborist consult or risk check, Pruning & trimming, Stump grinding, Big or hazard removal
Hussey Tree Service541-212-5808Central OregonNot listed on siteCentral and Eastern Oregon

Bend tree services worth comparing

Bend-based companies first, then Redmond and regional crews that list Bend in their service area. None of them post prices; all quote on site.

Bend

Central Oregon Tree Experts

One call for nearly everything, including crane removals and the widest service area on this list.

  • Big or hazard removal
  • Crane work
  • Wildfire fuel reduction
  • Pruning & trimming
  • Stump grinding
  • 24/7 or storm response
  • Redmond, Sisters & beyond

A locally owned company that lists the broadest menu here: removal, trimming, planting, tree health inspection and treatment, ladder fuel reduction, stump grinding, emergency response and crane services for tight spaces. Its FAQ says it will occasionally clear snow from residential roofs. It cites a 4.8 average star rating and 2,300+ customers.

Address
61563 American Loop, Bend (map listing)
Service area
Bend, Sisters, Prineville, La Pine, Redmond, Crescent, Sunriver, Madras
Call 541-480-9488Website

Checked October 23, 2026 on: cotreexperts.com, cotreexperts.com/about-us

Services

  • Tree removal and crane removals
  • Trimming and pruning
  • Tree planting
  • Tree health inspection and treatment
  • Ladder fuel reduction
  • Stump grinding
  • Emergency service
  • Residential and commercial

Credentials listed

  • Says its team is experienced arborists

Bend · ISA certified arborist

Arbor 1 Tree Service

Tree preservation and pest questions from a crew with several certified arborists.

  • Big or hazard removal
  • Wildfire fuel reduction
  • Arborist consult or risk check
  • Pruning & trimming
  • Stump grinding

Arbor 1 says it takes a holistic approach that weighs your needs, site, budget and timeline, and that it runs biodiesel in big machines and canola oil in small ones. Besides pruning and removal it covers pest mitigation and advice on choosing and planting trees, and its site points to a free mulch site.

Website
arbor1.com
Address
PO Box 7126, Bend
Service area
Bend and Central Oregon
Call 541-846-8018Website

Checked October 23, 2026 on: arbor1.com

Services

  • Tree trimming and pruning
  • Tree removal
  • Tree preservation
  • Stump removal and grinding
  • Wildfire fuels reduction
  • Pest mitigation
  • Tree selection and planting advice

Credentials listed

  • Five ISA Certified Arborists on staff
  • CCB #168332
  • Licensed, bonded and insured

Bend (since 1988) · ISA certified arborist

Fagen Tree & Chips

Big pine removals and storm calls from a third-generation Bend family business.

  • Big or hazard removal
  • 24/7 or storm response
  • Wildfire fuel reduction

Owner and arborist Wade Fagen is a third-generation Bend resident with 20+ years as a timber-falling contractor; Fagen Trees and Chips started in 1988. The company also sells weed-free woodchip mulch from local trees, runs Fagen Forest Management, and plows snow. For emergencies it says it can often get to you within hours and is available 24 hours a day.

Address
151 SE 2nd St, Bend (map listing)
Service area
Bend and Central Oregon; snow removal in Bend and Sunriver
Call 541-382-4997Website

Checked October 23, 2026 on: bendoregontreeservice.com

Services

  • Tree removal
  • Emergency storm service, 24 hours
  • Forest management
  • Woodchip bark mulch (local, weed-free)
  • Residential, HOA and commercial snow removal

Credentials listed

  • Calls itself “the only Logger Certified Arborist in Central Oregon”
  • Describes its crew as ISA Certified Arborists

Bend · ISA certified arborist

Urban Forest Tree Service

Wildland-urban interface lots, risk assessments and written arborist reports.

  • Big or hazard removal
  • Wildfire fuel reduction
  • Arborist consult or risk check
  • Pruning & trimming
  • Stump grinding

Urban Forest describes itself as a collective of forestry technicians focused on balancing trees and shrubs against wildfire risk in the urban-wildland interface. Its arborists can plan, consult, write reports and give legal testimony about tree condition.

Address
63120 Nels Anderson Rd, Bend (map listing)
Service area
Bend and Central Oregon
Call 541-419-4277Website

Checked October 23, 2026 on: urbanforesttreeservicellc.com

Services

  • Pruning and removal
  • Wildfire fuel management
  • Consultations, reports and legal testimony
  • Tree risk assessment (TRAQ)
  • Stump grinding

Credentials listed

  • ISA Certified (PN-9329A)
  • TRAQ tree risk qualified
  • Oregon CCB #212678 since 2016
  • Active FFT2 wildland firefighter; FAL-1 federal timber faller

Bend · ISA certified arborist

Simply Arbor Tree Care

Fine pruning, risk assessment and forest-management advice from a forestry-trained arborist.

  • Big or hazard removal
  • Wildfire fuel reduction
  • Arborist consult or risk check
  • Pruning & trimming
  • Stump grinding

A family-owned company whose site cites forestry and horticulture degrees and 20 years of experience, “from fine pruning to hazardous removal.”

Address
110 SE Rice Way, Bend
Hours
Office 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Service area
Bend and Central Oregon
Call 541-977-1504Website

Checked October 23, 2026 on: simplyarbortree.com, simplyarbortree.com/about-us

Services

  • Pruning
  • Removal
  • Tree risk assessment
  • Fire fuels reduction
  • Forest management consulting
  • Chipping
  • Stump grinding

Credentials listed

  • ISA Certified Arborist
  • Degrees in forestry and horticulture; 20 years of experience

Bend · ISA certified arborist

Spar Tree Arborist

Clear communication, consults and long-term care plans.

  • Big or hazard removal
  • Wildfire fuel reduction
  • Arborist consult or risk check
  • Pruning & trimming
  • Redmond, Sisters & beyond

Spar Tree’s motto is “Good for Trees, Good to People”: punctual, transparent quotes and fair pay for its crew. It offers consultations and inspections on tree health and structure and builds long-term management plans, with online estimate booking and a client portal.

Service area
Bend, Redmond, Sunriver, Sisters, Tumalo, Camp Sherman
Call 916-619-6317Website

Checked October 23, 2026 on: spartreearborist.com

Services

  • Pruning, trimming and maintenance
  • Tree removal
  • Wildfire fuel reduction
  • Consultations and inspections
  • Long-term tree management plans

Credentials listed

  • Jake Skrbina, ISA Certified Arborist PN-9543A
  • Oregon CCB #244748
  • Says all work is done by ISA-certified arborists

Central Oregon · ISA certified arborist

Lolo Tree Works

Ornamental pruning to ISA standards, plus removals and storm calls.

  • Big or hazard removal
  • Pruning & trimming
  • Stump grinding
  • 24/7 or storm response
  • Wildfire fuel reduction
  • Redmond, Sisters & beyond

A full-service company led by ISA-certified arborist Erin Carpenter, “from large-scale removals to fine ornamental pruning,” with pruning done to ISA standards.

Service area
Bend, Tumalo, Sisters, Sunriver
Call 503-367-5638Website

Checked October 23, 2026 on: lolotreeworks.com

Services

  • Tree pruning
  • Tree removal
  • Stump grinding
  • Emergency storm response
  • Fire fuel reduction

Credentials listed

  • Erin Carpenter, ISA Certified Arborist
  • CCB #240912
  • Licensed, bonded and insured

Bend · ISA certified arborist

Arborist Bend (Sean Shriver)

Owner-supervised pruning on westside and resort-community lots.

  • Pruning & trimming
  • Big or hazard removal

A family-owned business where all work is supervised by Sean Shriver. His site says he never uses climbing spikes on trees that are staying, since spikes can damage them, and that he contributes arboriculture work to local mountain bike trails. Text or call for an estimate.

Service area
Bend, Sunriver, Eagle Crest, Broken Top, Tetherow, Awbrey Butte and more
Call 541-480-5358Website

Checked October 23, 2026 on: arboristbend.com

Services

  • Tree trimming, pruning and deadwooding
  • Tree removal

Credentials listed

  • Sean S. Shriver, ISA certified since 2000 (TX-1068A)
  • CCB #207175
  • Licensed, bonded and insured

Bend & Tumalo

Deschutes Arbor Care

Fire fuel reduction with forestry mowing, and lot clearing on acreage.

  • Big or hazard removal
  • Wildfire fuel reduction
  • Pruning & trimming
  • Stump grinding
  • 24/7 or storm response

Owner Walker Davis’s company names fire fuel reduction as a specialty: brush thinning, forestry mowing and debris removal. It also clears lots, grinds stumps and handles fallen trees, and takes commercial work on request.

Address
19562 Riverwoods Dr, Bend (map listing)
Service area
Bend, Tumalo, La Pine, Sunriver and nearby
Call 541-668-3928Website

Checked October 23, 2026 on: deschutesarborcareor.com, deschutesarborcareor.com/about, deschutesarborcareor.com/service-area

Services

  • Tree removal and fallen trees
  • Trimming and pruning
  • Stump grinding and lot clearing
  • Fire fuel reduction and forestry mowing
  • Emergency services

Credentials listed

  • Says it has served Central Oregon for over 26 years

Bend · ISA certified arborist

Applied Forestry

Thinning, timber falling and tree assessment on wooded lots.

  • Big or hazard removal
  • Wildfire fuel reduction
  • Arborist consult or risk check
  • Pruning & trimming
  • Stump grinding

A Central Oregon tree service with ISA-certified arborists whose list leans toward forestry work: thinning, timber falling and hazard tree removal alongside pruning.

Address
3335 NE Cruise Loop, Bend
Hours
Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Service area
Central Oregon
Call 541-480-8838Website

Checked October 23, 2026 on: appliedforestry.com, appliedforestry.com/contact-us

Services

  • Pruning
  • Hazard tree removal
  • Thinning and fire fuel reduction
  • Timber falling
  • Tree assessment
  • Chipping
  • Stump grinding

Credentials listed

  • ISA Certified Arborists

Bend & Redmond

Bend Tree Service

Round-the-clock storm calls, plus shrub work.

  • Big or hazard removal
  • Pruning & trimming
  • Stump grinding
  • 24/7 or storm response
  • Redmond, Sisters & beyond

A fourth-generation, family-owned business with 40+ years in the trade (19+ under this name). It offers 24/7 emergency service, free estimates and personalized pricing, and has a separate Redmond line: 541-548-8882.

Hours
Open 24 hours, 7 days
Service area
Bend, Redmond, Terrebonne, Tumalo, Crooked River Ranch
Call 541-322-0442Website

Checked October 23, 2026 on: bendtree.net

Services

  • Tree trimming and shaping
  • Tree removal
  • Shrub trimming, pruning and removal
  • Stump grinding
  • Storm damage, 24/7

Credentials listed

  • License #184931
  • Fully licensed and insured

Southern Bend

Osprey Arbor Works

Southern Bend, Deschutes River Woods and La Pine fuel mitigation.

  • Big or hazard removal
  • Wildfire fuel reduction
  • Pruning & trimming
  • Stump grinding
  • Redmond, Sisters & beyond

Osprey focuses on southern Bend communities and wooded, wildfire-prone lots, with dedicated fuel-mitigation pages for Bend and La Pine and online booking.

Address
59819 Cheyenne Rd, Bend
Service area
Bend (focus on southern Bend, Deschutes River Woods, Century West, Tetherow), Sunriver, La Pine, Sisters
Call 541-728-3533Website

Checked October 23, 2026 on: ospreyarborworks.com, ospreyarborworks.com/about

Services

  • Tree removal and hazardous removal
  • Tree pruning
  • Stump removal and grinding
  • Wildfire fuel reduction and mitigation

Credentials listed

  • License #100558

South county (Three Rivers area)

Ax To Grind Tree Care

Tight-space removals and firewood from the same crew.

  • Big or hazard removal
  • Pruning & trimming
  • Stump grinding
  • 24/7 or storm response
  • Redmond, Sisters & beyond

A local crew that says it specializes in tight spaces and hazard trees, grinds stumps below grade, and sells seasoned firewood by the cord from its own removals.

Address
7423 Egret Dr, Bend 97707
Hours
Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Service area
Bend, Redmond, Sunriver, La Pine, Three Rivers
Call 541-537-3411Website

Checked October 23, 2026 on: axtogrindtreecare.com

Services

  • Tree removal
  • Trimming and pruning
  • Stump grinding
  • Emergency tree service
  • Firewood sales and delivery

Credentials listed

  • CCB #257434
  • Licensed, bonded and insured

Redmond

4 Brothers Tree Service

North-county jobs, lot clearing and 24-hour storm response.

  • Big or hazard removal
  • Pruning & trimming
  • Stump grinding
  • Wildfire fuel reduction
  • 24/7 or storm response
  • Redmond, Sisters & beyond

A Redmond contractor with 15+ years in the trade covering technical and hazardous removals, lot clearing, brush chipping and year-round maintenance, with 24-hour emergency wind, fire and storm service and free estimates.

Address
2443 SW Pumice Ave, Redmond
Service area
Redmond, Prineville, Bend, Deschutes, Sisters and more
Call 541-815-2342Website

Checked October 23, 2026 on: 4brostrees.com

Services

  • Tree removal
  • Trimming and pruning
  • Stump grinding
  • Fire fuel reduction
  • Commercial tree service
  • Emergency service, 24 hours

Credentials listed

  • CCB #215057
  • Licensed, bonded and insured

Redmond · ISA certified arborist

Prevish Tree Service

Owner-led estimates with a clear plan before work starts.

  • Arborist consult or risk check
  • Pruning & trimming
  • Stump grinding
  • Big or hazard removal
  • Redmond, Sisters & beyond

A Redmond-based company that cites 200+ five-star reviews. Its process is an on-site estimate, then a written plan with pricing and timeline.

Service area
Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Prineville, Powell Butte, Eagle Crest, La Pine, Madras
Call 541-316-8223Website

Checked October 23, 2026 on: previshtreeservice.com

Services

  • Tree health and assessment
  • Trimming and pruning
  • Lot and view clearing
  • Stump grinding or removal

Credentials listed

  • All work overseen by Dave Prevish, ISA Certified Arborist

Central Oregon

Hussey Tree Service

Rural and eastern Oregon jobs; call to discuss.

  • Redmond, Sisters & beyond

Its website is mostly a contact page: phone, email (husseytreeservice@gmail.com) and Instagram @husseytreeservice. Call or message to ask about services and licensing.

Service area
Central and Eastern Oregon
Call 541-212-5808Website

Checked October 23, 2026 on: husseytreeservice.com/contact

Services

  • Tree work across Central and Eastern Oregon (details by phone)

Credentials listed

None listed on its site. Ask for its LCB or CCB number and proof of insurance.

Arborist vs. tree-removal crew

An ISA Certified Arborist has passed the International Society of Arboriculture’s exam on tree biology, pruning, diagnosis and safety. That matters most when you want to keep a tree: deciding what to prune, whether a pine is declining, or whether a lean is dangerous. Some Bend arborists also hold TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification), useful when you need a written risk report for an HOA, insurer or neighbor dispute.

A removal-focused crew with climbers, a bucket truck or a crane is what you want for taking down big pines near structures. Many Bend companies do both. Use an arborist to decide, and make sure whoever does the work is licensed and insured.

  • Keeping a tree healthy: arborist consult first
  • Dead or hazard tree near the house: removal crew, crane if tight
  • Wildfire limb-up on acreage: fuels-reduction crew
  • HOA or legal question: TRAQ risk report

Arborist Bend’s Sean Shriver notes he never uses climbing spikes on trees that are staying, since spikes damage the trunk. That is a fair question to ask any crew pruning a tree you want to keep.

An arborist in a red helmet rope-climbing in a tree canopy with a gear bag
Rope-and-saddle climbing lets an arborist prune without spikes. Photo: TreeMinion15, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Ponderosa pines and Central Oregon trees

Bend sits where the Cascades’ pine forest meets the high desert. That mix shapes nearly every tree job here.

Tall ponderosa pines with thick orange plated bark in an open stand

Ponderosa pine

The tree most Bend yards are built around, and the one most jobs involve: limbing for fire, removing beetle-killed or storm-damaged pines, and keeping branches off roofs.

Timing matters. OSU Extension advises scheduling pine thinning, pruning and removal for October through December, because fresh pine debris made in spring and summer draws breeding bark beetles. The Oregon Department of Forestry says pine engraver (Ips) beetles prefer fresh slash 3–8 inches thick; avoid leaving it, or chip, burn or haul it before April.

Photo: U.S. Forest Service (public domain).

A broad, gnarled old western juniper on open sagebrush flats between Bend and Redmond

Western juniper

The squat, shaggy tree of the east side and the drive to Redmond. Junipers crowd driveways and fences and hold dense, low foliage, so they often come up in defensible-space and lot-clearing work.

Photo: Orygun, Redmond-Bend Juniper State Scenic Corridor, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Looking up a ponderosa pine coated in white frozen fog against a pale sky

Snow, ice and wind

Winter loads and wind storms are when limbs and whole trees come down. Several Bend companies list emergency storm response, and Central Oregon Tree Experts says it occasionally clears snow from residential roofs. Have a company picked before the first storm.

Photo: U.S. Forest Service, donated by Donald Graham (public domain).

Wildfire fuel reduction: own your zone

Bend Fire & Rescue’s Own Your Zone guidance splits your yard into three zones. Tree companies that list fuel reduction can do the heavy parts.

0–5 ft

Immediate zone

  • Clear needles and leaves from roof and gutters
  • Move mulch, needles and firewood away from walls and out from under decks
  • Use non-combustible ground cover like pavers or crushed stone
5–30 ft

Intermediate zone

  • Prune low and wide branches within 5 ft of the house
  • Mow and rake regularly
  • Use fire-resistant plants
30–100 ft

Extended zone

  • Store firewood at least 30 ft from the house
  • Minimize ladder fuels
  • Create fuel breaks with hardscape
10 ftbranches trimmed back from roofs and eaves
10 ftbetween trees and power lines
6 ftlimb up from the ground on trees taller than 18 ft
⅓of the height limbed up on trees under 18 ft

Source: Bend Fire & Rescue, Own Your Zone.

A crowded pine stand with dense young trees and brush before thinning
Before: crowded pines and ladder fuels.
The same kind of pine stand after thinning, with widely spaced trees and an open floor
After: spaced trees, open floor.

Thinning photo points in the Deschutes National Forest. Photos: U.S. Forest Service (public domain).

Free disposal: during FireFree, Knott Landfill in Bend took yard debris free May 15–24, 2026, and the Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver and La Pine transfer stations June 5–13, 2026. Accepted: brush, prunings, needles, cones and branches or stumps up to 12 inches thick; no sod, lumber, trash or plastic bags. Cover your load. Bend Fire & Rescue says to chip, compost or recycle yard debris, not burn it.

Tree removal in Bend: check before you cut

City of Bend

The City publishes a “When to remove a tree” flowchart for residential lots with no development proposed. Some removals still need Planning Manager review. Removal tied to new construction falls under the City’s tree preservation code. Questions go to the urban forester, Ian Gray, at 541-388-5577.

HOAs and the county

Many Bend-area subdivisions and resort communities have their own tree rules, so check your CC&Rs before you schedule. Outside city limits, Deschutes County rules apply instead of the City’s.

Oregon licensing and insurance

The Oregon Landscape Contractors Board says either an LCB or a CCB license covers tree removal, stump grinding and limb guying, but planting trees requires an LCB license. Look the number up on the LCB or CCB site and ask for a certificate of insurance. Arborist certification can be checked on the ISA site.

Trees near power lines

Never prune near lines yourself. Pacific Power says it typically does not prune around the service drop to your house unless there is a clear threat to service, prunes only 2–3 feet around secondary lines, and generally asks for written permission before removing a tree on residential property. Call your utility first, then a qualified company.

When does a tree need to come down?

Call an arborist soon

  • Red or brown needles on a pine that was green last season
  • Pitch tubes or fine boring dust on the trunk
  • A new lean, or soil heaving on one side
  • Large dead limbs over the roof, driveway or play areas
  • Cracks, cavities or mushrooms at the base

Often prunable instead

  • Branches touching the roof or chimney
  • Low limbs that act as ladder fuels
  • Crossing or rubbing branches
  • Overgrown fruit or ornamental trees
  • Views or solar panels getting shaded

Tree pruning: what good pruning is trying to accomplish

Good pruning removes dead, weak and crossing wood, keeps clearance from the house and lines, and limbs pines up for fire without stripping them. Lolo Tree Works and Spar Tree both say they prune to ISA standards; ask any crew how much live canopy they plan to take and why.

Stump grinding vs. stump removal

Grinding chews the stump down below grade so you can cover it with soil, lawn or a patio; the roots rot in place. Ax To Grind says it grinds below grade and clears the debris for replanting. Full stump and root removal digs the whole thing out, which takes heavy equipment and leaves a big hole, and is mostly for building pads and foundations. Ask whether the quote includes hauling the grindings.

Replacing removed trees

Planting needs an LCB-licensed company. Central Oregon Tree Experts and Arbor 1 both list planting help. For defensible space, keep new trees well away from the house and out from under power lines.

The Bend tree-care calendar

  1. WinterStorm season. Know who you’ll call; inspect after big snow and wind.
  2. SpringFireFree: Bend in mid-May, Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver and La Pine in early June. Rake needles out of the 0–5 ft zone. Avoid creating fresh pine slash.
  3. SummerFire season. Keep up with needles and gutters; book fall pine work ahead of time.
  4. Fall (Oct–Dec)The best window to prune, thin or remove pines, per OSU Extension. Limb up, clear ladder fuels, and have stumps ground.

What drives tree-service pricing?

None of the companies above publish prices; every one quotes after seeing the tree. These are the things that move the number.

  • Size and species. A 90-foot ponderosa is a different job than a juniper by the fence.
  • What’s under it. Roofs, decks, fences and power lines mean rigging, climbing or a crane instead of dropping it whole.
  • Access. Whether a truck, chipper or crane can reach the tree, or everything has to be carried out.
  • Condition. Dead and hazard trees can be harder and riskier to climb.
  • Cleanup. Chipping and hauling, leaving wood in rounds, or leaving brush piles.
  • Stumps. Grinding is usually priced separately.
  • Urgency. Emergency and after-hours storm calls.

How to compare tree-removal quotes

Get it in writing

  • Which trees, and exactly what is being done to each
  • Cleanup: chipped, hauled, or left as rounds or brush
  • Stump grinding included or extra, and how deep
  • Who calls in utility locates if digging or grinding
  • Start date and how long the job takes

Questions to ask

  • What is your LCB or CCB number? Can I see your insurance certificate?
  • Who on the crew is an ISA Certified Arborist?
  • Will you use climbing spikes on trees I’m keeping?
  • How will you protect the roof, lawn and irrigation?
  • What will you do with fresh pine slash in spring and summer?

Frequently asked questions

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

It depends on the lot and whether development is involved. The City of Bend publishes a “When to remove a tree” flowchart for residential lots with no development proposed; some removals still need Planning Manager review. Tree removal tied to new construction falls under the city’s tree preservation code. Ask the City’s urban forester (541-388-5577) if you are unsure, and check HOA rules too. Outside city limits, Deschutes County rules apply.

When is the best time to prune or thin pines in Central Oregon?

Fall and early winter. OSU Extension advises scheduling pine thinning, pruning and removal for October through December because fresh pine debris made in spring and summer attracts breeding bark beetles. The Oregon Department of Forestry says to avoid leaving fresh pine slash 3 to 8 inches thick, or destroy it before April.

What license does a tree service need in Oregon?

Tree removal and stump grinding can be done under either an Oregon Landscape Contractors Board (LCB) or Construction Contractors Board (CCB) license; planting trees requires an LCB license. Look up the license number on the LCB or CCB site before you hire, and ask for proof of insurance. ISA arborist certification is separate and can be checked on the ISA’s credential lookup.

How far should trees be from my house for wildfire safety?

Bend Fire & Rescue’s Own Your Zone guidance says to trim branches 10 feet from roofs and eaves, keep trees 10 feet from power lines, remove branches up to 6 feet off the ground on trees taller than 18 feet (one-third of the height on shorter trees), and clear pine needles and other flammables within 5 feet of the house.

Where can I get rid of branches and pine needles for free?

During FireFree. In 2026 Knott Landfill in Bend took yard debris free from May 15 to 24, and the Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver and La Pine transfer stations from June 5 to 13. Accepted: brush, prunings, needles, cones and branches up to 12 inches thick. Loads must be covered.

Who trims trees near power lines?

Don’t do it yourself. Bend Fire & Rescue says trees should be spaced 10 feet from power lines. Pacific Power says it typically does not prune around the line running to your house (the service drop) unless there is a clear threat to service, so ask your utility first, then hire a qualified company for anything near lines.

How much does tree removal cost in Bend?

None of the Bend companies we checked post prices. Quotes depend on tree size, how close it is to the house or lines, whether a crane or climbing is needed, access for equipment, and whether debris hauling and stump grinding are included. Get two or three written quotes that spell out cleanup and stump work.

Is a dead or dying pine an emergency?

A tree that has already failed or is hanging on a structure or line is. Several Bend companies list 24-hour emergency service, including Fagen Tree & Chips, Bend Tree Service and 4 Brothers. For a standing tree with red needles or pitch tubes, call an ISA-certified arborist for an assessment soon.

LandscapingYards, plants and fire-wise designsGutter cleaningNeedles out before fire seasonRoofingAfter a limb comes downFirewoodLocal cords and deliverySnow removalPlowing and shoveling crewsFence companiesRepairs after storm damage

Sources and photo credits

Company details were checked on each company’s own website on October 23, 2026; addresses marked “map listing” come from the company’s map listing. Credentials are as companies state them.

Photos

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