How Much of a Tree Can You Cut Without Killing It?
How much can safely come off in one season, and where to make the cut.
Tree Trimming Advice for Whatcom County Homeowners
Plain answers about pruning, timing and when a tree is worth keeping, written for Northwest trees and Northwest weather.
- Free on-site estimates
- Every cut explained before we make it
- No topping, ever
- Yard raked and cleaned before we leave
Written for wet winters and big trees
Most pruning advice is written for places with hard winters and small yard trees. Whatcom County has mild, wet winters, dry summers and very big trees. We have Douglas fir and western red cedar over the roof, big-leaf maples that answer a hard cut with several feet of new sprouts in a year, laurel hedges that never stop, old orchard apples fighting scab every spring, and outflow winds that find every weak limb in December.
These guides answer the questions homeowners actually ask us: how much can come off, when to cut, whether a tree can be saved, and why some popular cuts do more harm than good. We explain the reasoning behind each cut, not only the rule. Where an answer depends on local rules we have not confirmed, we say so instead of guessing.
When to Prune Apple Trees in the Pacific Northwest
Late winter cuts, summer cleanup, and bringing an old tree back.
Is It Cheaper to Trim a Tree or Cut It Down?
What drives each price, and what keeping a tree costs over the years.
Why Topping a Tree Does More Harm Than Good
What happens after a tree is topped, and what to do instead.
The Best Time to Trim Trees in Whatcom County
A season by season look at when to cut and when to wait.
Have a tree question we have not answered?
Send us a photo and a line about what is bothering you. We would rather give you a straight answer now than have you guess with a saw.
- Call(360) 555-0137
- Emailoffice@bellinghamtreetrimming.com
- HoursMon to Fri, 7:30am to 5pm. Saturdays by appointment.
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