Salem tree cutting: hiring and preparation guide

Choose an assessment, pruning or removal scope

Tell the arborist what you want to solve: a branch over the roof, a tree you are concerned about, clearance for a project or a stump in the planting area. Ask for an assessment before committing to removal if you want to keep the tree. Request an explanation of the proposed work and any alternative the arborist recommends.

Identify each tree in the quote with a photo or a marked site sketch. Specify which branches the crew should address and whether you want wood retained, cut into manageable pieces or hauled away. For stump work, ask for the grinding depth, whether the crew removes grindings and who supplies backfill. Avoid authorizing a broad instruction such as clearing the yard.

Check contractor authority for the whole job

The Oregon Landscape Contractors Board states that either an LCB or CCB license allows tree removal, stump grinding and limb guying. It also states that an LCB license covers tree work including planting and trimming. Ask for the business name and license number, then verify that the license matches the contractor and the proposed scope. [2]

For a removal-and-replanting job, ask who will perform the planting. Oregon says a CCB license alone does not allow planting, with two listed exceptions for residential general contractors: up to $3,850 of planting-related landscaping under a contract to construct a new residential dwelling, or planting residential street trees directly related to building-code or occupancy requirements. Both exceptions exclude irrigation work. Ask the contractor to identify the authority that covers your planting scope. [2]

Request proof of insurance for the proposed work and ask who will supervise the crew. If you are paying for an assessment, identify the person who will inspect the tree and whether you will receive written findings. Keep assessment fees and cutting work separate in the quote so you can decide after reviewing the recommendation.

Resolve location and approval questions before cutting

Use the property address and a site sketch when asking the applicable local authority about approval requirements. Identify whether the tree stands within your lot, along a boundary or beside the street. Ask the authority to confirm jurisdiction and whether the proposed removal or pruning needs permission. Request the applicable requirements in writing before you authorize cutting.

Assign responsibility in the contract: who checks requirements, who submits any application, who pays any fees and who provides confirmation before work begins. Ask whether the homeowner must sign or authorize an application. Keep contractor licensing, property-owner permission and local approval as separate questions when discussing the job.

Coordinate work near PGE power lines

If the work involves PGE power lines, call its Tree Hotline at 503-736-5460 before starting. PGE lists hours of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Confirm your electricity provider before using this guidance, because PGE notes that some lines attached to utility poles belong to other organizations. [1]

PGE distinguishes its routine clearance work from whole-tree removal. It says entire-tree removal during maintenance pruning is uncommon, although a PGE forester may coordinate removal of a dead or dying tree that poses a safety hazard. Ask PGE what it will address before paying a private contractor for overlapping work. [1]

Describe the proposed stump or planting work when discussing underground services. PGE instructs customers to call 811 at least two business days before digging. Ask the contractor to identify who arranges marking and how the crew will account for utilities in the work plan. [1]

Prepare access and agree on weather contingencies

Walk the proposed access route with the contractor. Point out gates, fences, garden beds, irrigation components and surfaces you want protected. Agree on where the crew will place equipment, stack wood and load debris. Ask how the crew will restore any disturbed area and document its starting condition with photos.

The National Weather Service recorded 3.34 inches of rainfall in October, 5.21 inches in November and 7.36 inches in December 2025 at Salem McNary Airport. Treat those observations as historical scheduling context. Ask the contractor how rain or unsuitable access would change the appointment, equipment plan or cleanup, and put the rescheduling arrangement in writing. [3]

Observed Salem airport rainfall, October–December 2025

Choose the next step for your tree project

Your hiring checklist

1. Identify each tree and describe the outcome you want with photos or a site sketch.
2. Ask for the contractor’s business name, license number and proof of insurance.
3. Confirm the applicable jurisdiction and ask about approval requirements before authorizing cutting.
4. Assign responsibility for approval checks, applications and utility coordination in writing.
5. Separate removal, stump grinding, wood disposal, backfill and planting in the quote.
6. Agree on equipment access, surface protection and cleanup.
7. Record payment terms, weather postponements and the final condition you expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an Oregon contractor need a license for tree removal?

Yes. The Oregon Landscape Contractors Board says an LCB or CCB license allows tree removal, stump grinding and limb guying. Ask for the business’s license number and verify it before hiring. [2]

Can the removal contractor plant a replacement tree?

Check the planting scope. Oregon allows planting under an LCB license. A CCB license alone generally does not authorize planting, although the state lists limited residential-general-contractor exceptions for new-dwelling landscaping and required residential street-tree planting. [2]

Will PGE remove a tree near its power lines?

PGE says whole-tree removal during maintenance pruning is uncommon. A forester may coordinate removal of a dead or dying tree that poses a safety hazard. Call its Tree Hotline at 503-736-5460 before arranging work near PGE lines. [1]

How should I compare tree-work quotes?

Give contractors the same tree identification and requested outcome. Compare the cutting scope, access plan, wood disposal, stump work, site restoration and payment terms. Ask each contractor to list exclusions and explain any proposed change before you approve it.