(503) 449-4066 www.urbantimbertree.com
10808 SE Harold St, Portland, Oregon 97266
Equipment and Capabilities: Stump Grinder
Tree Services: Works Near Structures, Dead Tree Experience, Cabling Bracing
Credentials and Trust: Long Established, Licensed
Customer Experience: Affordable
Urban Timber is Portland’s trusted tree service, proudly serving the community since 2014. Our licensed arborists specialize in tree removal, tree trimming, tree pruning, stump grinding, and comprehensive tree maintenance. With 25+ years of combined experience, our team of expert arborists focuses on enhancing the health, safety, and beauty of your trees. From residential to commercial properties, we use state-of-the-art equipment and expert care to deliver top-quality results. Founded by certified arborist Jeremy Wagener, Urban Timber is committed to preserving Portland’s urban canopy. Recognized in 2024 by Willamette Week as Portland’s Best Tree Service, we are your go-to arborists for all tree care needs.
4.9 from 119 reviews
Based on reviews representing only 3% of total ratings
Urban Timber Tree Service (Portland) is best suited for property owners who face high-stakes, technically demanding tree work in urban and near-structure settings. This company excels on mature lots with large-diameter specimens, trees that overhang roofs or sidewalks, and jobs that require permits, specialized equipment, or a coordinated crew. Homeowners with medium to significant budgets who value health-preserving pruning, structural care, and careful removals will find them a strong fit. For emergency storm scenarios or time-critical projects, Urban Timber’s responsiveness and scheduling reliability make them a practical choice, though the exact timeframe can depend on weather and city permitting. In short, a multi-tree property, a complex trimming plan, or a hazardous removal near valuable structures should steer decision-makers toward Urban Timber, not toward cheaper, less-capable rivals.
Safety and cleanup standards sit at the forefront of their practice. The reviews repeatedly highlight cautious, methodical work that protects surrounding structures, nearby yards, and neighboring properties. Teams bring in lifts when needed, use ground protection, and lower heavy limbs with precision to avoid collateral damage. The cleanup is consistently thorough: debris is ground or chipped, driveways and roofs are swept clean, and a tidy finish is the norm rather than the exception. Several jobs note the absence of lingering dust, branches, or sawdust, and reflect a level of care that communicates true prioritization of site safety. While one negative post flags a single incident of damage to a hot tub cover, the prevailing pattern across hundreds of reviews is one of meticulous, safety-first execution with rapid follow-through to correct issues when they arise.
Technical competence across pruning, removal, and tree health care distinguishes Urban Timber from many peers. Numerous accounts describe health-pruning that opens canopies for light without over-thinning, cabling to stabilize vulnerable limbs, and even injections to boost the vigor of trees under stress. Large removals, sometimes of century-old trees or trees perilously close to structures, are documented as controlled, precise operations, often conducted within a day or two and followed by comprehensive cleanup. The team’s ability to negotiate complex site constraints, such as working around bird nests or coordinating with neighbors’ zones, demonstrates a deep understanding of arboriculture and urban forestry realities. These are not cut-and-done jobs; they reflect a professional, tree-first approach that protects long-term tree health while addressing immediate hazards.
Communication and project management are consistently strong, with a track record of prompt estimates, clear scope of work, and dependable scheduling. Estimators and foremen are praised for thorough explanations, reasonable pricing, and keeping clients informed before, during, and after work. Permitting, when required, and coordination with city requirements are frequently handled in-house, reducing friction for homeowners. The office-to-field handoff is a common source of praise, with clients noting that crews arrive on time, finish as promised, and leave a neat site. Even in moments of misunderstanding, Urban Timber shows a willingness to listen, adjust, and make things right, underscoring a professional culture that treats customers as partners rather than afterthoughts.
Value and pricing emerge as dependable strengths, even when expectations vary. Across the spectrum, clients consistently report competitive bids that reflect the high skill level and efficiency of the crews. Many reviews frame Urban Timber as delivering “more value than the competition,” frequently citing the balance of fair pricing with top-tier workmanship. The company’s willingness to align with the client’s goals, whether it’s minimizing costs, protecting a beloved landscape, or delivering a comprehensive maintenance plan, contributes to a perception of strong return on investment. The recurring message is that long-term tree health, safer property, and a well-executed cleanup justify the expense, particularly for larger-scale removals, structural pruning, or work near sensitive surroundings.
For those ready to hire, the practical takeaway is to pair Urban Timber with a precise, written scope and a realistic schedule. Prospective clients should request a detailed estimate that includes permits, stump grinding, debris removal, and any special equipment needs (lifts, mats, protectors for turf or plantings). Given the frequency with which the team coordinates complex logistics, confirming access routes, yard protection, and post-work cleanup expectations in advance will help avert misunderstandings. While the company’s reputation for reliability is strong, a cautious approach, documenting boundaries, expected outcomes, and post-work touch points, ensures a worry-free experience. Urban Timber remains a standout choice for Portland-area properties where arborist expertise, safety discipline, and meticulous site stewardship are non-negotiable.
Equipped with stump grinding machinery to eliminate leftover stumps after removal. Leaves your yard clean and ready for replanting or landscaping.
Stump grinding is consistently integrated into their removal and maintenance work, with the team reliably grinding out stumps and leaving the area neat. In multiple projects, they ground stumps after removing trees in parking strips or yards and took care to protect surrounding property while cleaning up thoroughly. The crew’s efficiency is paired with careful site management, often finishing with a tidy area and minimal debris remaining. Overall, customers describe the stump grinding as thorough, safe, and well-integrated into the service, reflecting a strong Portland-area capability in handling stumps on residential properties.
Skilled at working in tight spaces where trees sit close to homes, fences, garages, or power lines. Precision removal without damage to surrounding structures.
Near-structure work is a clear strength, with crews consistently handling removals and pruning in tight urban spaces while protecting homes, sidewalks, and neighboring properties. They have safely brought down large trees that sat close to houses and driveways, often being mindful of surrounding structures and even neighboring yards. The team uses protective measures and careful staging—such as lifting heavy limbs with pads and ground protection—to prevent damage to yards, roofs, and other structures. They routinely prune overhanging limbs that could contact roofs or sheds and lower substantial branches with precision to avoid collateral damage around wires or other obstacles. Cleanup is thorough and meticulous, leaving driveways, roofs, and yards clear of debris and with no residual damage to nearby structures. They also handle permits and coordinate with stakeholders to ensure safe, compliant operations when near structures.
Specialists in the safe removal of dead, dying, or diseased trees. Dead trees are unpredictable - experience and caution matter.
Dead-tree work is a core capability, with many clients noting Urban Timber’s ability to remove dead trees and prune away dead wood safely and thoroughly. They handle hazardous dead trees in tight urban spaces, taking down large dead trees near sidewalks, driveways, and even near neighboring properties while protecting nearby structures and keeping neighboring yards unharmed. Stump grinding is routinely included, and sites are left tidy with thorough cleanup after the job. In pruning and removal work, they remove dead wood to restore tree balance and health, and they’ll use additional measures like cabling or bracing on vulnerable limbs when needed to maximize safety. They also take on permitting and city coordination when required, easing the process for homeowners and ensuring regulatory steps are handled properly.
Installs steel cables or braces to support weak branch unions, co-dominant stems, or leaning trunks - extending the life of a tree you don't want to lose.
Cabling and bracing are routinely used to stabilize vulnerable limbs and protect property during tree care. One customer notes they cabled a vulnerable large branch on a sweet gum, enabling safe pruning and careful work without compromising the tree or nearby structures. Across feedback, clients describe the team as precise, safety-minded, and thorough in cabling and bracing, followed by tidy cleanups and careful site management. The pattern shows readiness to handle demanding scenarios near homes, driveways, and neighboring yards while integrating cabling/bracing as part of the solution. Overall, the cabling and bracing capabilities contribute to safer, healthier trees and a high level of customer satisfaction in Portland and surrounding areas.
A business with years - often decades - in the community. Local reputation and deep experience speak for themselves.
Since 2014, Urban Timber has demonstrated a long-established capability to plan and execute substantial tree work in Portland’s urban terrain, including removing large diseased trees and trimming branches that straddle homes, sidewalks, and neighboring properties. Feedback consistently highlights professional, thorough, and safety-focused crews who complete work efficiently and leave sites clean, with careful consideration for property and surrounding structures. They routinely handle permits and city coordination, provide transparent, well-documented estimates, and coordinate scheduling to minimize disruption. Their capabilities extend beyond removal to pruning, cabling and bracing, health care injections, stump grinding, and ongoing maintenance, with many clients returning for multiple projects over years. Across residential and commercial properties in Portland, customers note trusted service and a commitment to doing the job right while preserving the urban canopy.
Holds all required state and local licenses to operate legally as a tree service. A basic but important box to check before hiring.
Licensed capability is evident in Portland-area feedback through frequent mentions that they handle city permits for projects and coordinate with local authorities. Customers describe the team as highly knowledgeable, safety-conscious, and professional from estimate to completion, able to remove or prune large trees near structures and even cable vulnerable limbs with care. They emphasize thorough planning and well-documented estimates, reflecting a licensed operation that adheres to local requirements and standards. Cleanup is consistently thorough and sites are left tidy, with crews respectful of property and surroundings. This pattern of permit handling, skilled work near structures, and reliable communication highlights Urban Timber’s licensed arborist capabilities in Portland.
Competitive pricing without cutting corners. These arborists offer fair rates and transparent quotes, making professional tree care accessible for most budgets.
Affordable pricing runs through their Portland service, with clear, fair estimates and permits handled in-house for a smooth, cost-conscious process. Customers consistently note competitive quotes and, in many cases, the lowest bid among multiple estimates. One account even highlights paying less for a day’s work than other companies quoted for removing a single tree, illustrating strong cost-effectiveness. Beyond price, the crews are described as prompt, professional, thorough, and meticulous about cleanup, boosting overall value for homeowners and commercial clients alike. With roots in Portland since 2014 and a 2024 Willamette Week honor as Portland’s Best Tree Service, affordability sits alongside trusted expertise in removal, trimming, pruning, stump grinding, and ongoing tree maintenance.