Expert Arborists for View Corridors and Wind-Exposed Trees
Trusted tree care in Phinney Ridge
Blooma Tree Experts offers professional, ISA qualified tree service in Phinney Ridge, Seattle. Whether you’re looking for the crown of a tree to be thinned to look better for a water view, or a tree to be evaluated for hazards due to wind damage, our local arborists perform safe, precision tree service without ever harming trees with tree topping.
The homeowners at Phinney Ridge have some of the finest views in the Seattle area, but at the same time they need to keep their mature trees out of the wind and provide for their aesthetic value.
About Phinney Ridge and its trees
Running high above the city along the Phinney Avenue North spine, Phinney Ridge is defined by its dramatic topography. The neighborhood slopes sharply down toward Green Lake on the east and drops off toward Ballard and Greenwood on the west. Anchored by the Woodland Park Zoo to the east and known for the tight-knit community surrounding the Phinney Neighborhood Association, it is one of Seattle’s most desirable places to live.
The defining feature of Phinney Ridge real estate is the view. Built on the western side, homes enjoy views across Puget Sound and out toward the Olympic Mountains, and on the eastern side, out toward the Cascades.
But also on this upland site is a large stand of old Douglas firs and Western Red Cedars. Homeowners who want a trustworthy, dependable Phinney Ridge tree care will find themselves in a tug-of-war situation, needing to balance enjoying the view with living safely with massive evergreens. Trees here require specialized care because they are the first to be struck by seasonal storms, with wind resistance, structure and intelligent canopy management being key concerns.
Phinney Ridge-specific tree challenges: View Obstruction and Wind Exposure
Managing a tall canopy on an exposed ridgeline requires a specialized approach. In Phinney Ridge, an arborist in Phinney Ridge, Seattle spends most of their time addressing two specific challenges:
View Pruning Done Right (Why We Don’t Top)
The instinctive response to a 90 foot Douglas fir in your line of sight to the Olympics is usually to hire a tree service to remove the top. But the worst thing you can do to a tree is topping. It disrupts the natural structure, encourages ineffective and inconsistent regrowth and forms a huge hazard immediately upwind of your house. (Read exactly why you should never top a tree).
Instead, we use advanced crown reduction and “windowing.” We can selectively cut out some lateral branches and thinning the canopy to allow for beautiful view corridors through the tree and enhance tree health. (Learn more about tree crown reduction benefits and cost).
Wind-Loaded Trees and Storm Failure Risk
The trees on Phinney Ridge are exposed to more intense and ongoing wind loads than trees in lower elevation areas because Phinney Ridge is literally a hill. The mature conifer trees on the slopes and ridge are giant sails. The danger of blowing over or snapping in a gale increases markedly when the canopies become too thick, or if they have structural faults. We specialize in structural pruning to lessen wind resistance and conduct special hazard assessments called Tree Risk Assessment Qualifications to detect root plate lifting or internal decay before winter wind. (Read our guide on how to prepare your Seattle trees for storm season).
Slope-Side Access
Many houses on the ridge have very steep back yards. If a tree needs to be cut down and is on a 30 degree slope, then the branches cannot be just dropped off the tree. Rigging is a tricky thing, and with advanced rope rigging and careful drop-zone planning, you’ll prevent heavy wood from rolling or sliding into the house below.
Our tree services in Phinney Ridge
From massive heritage cedars for winter storm protection to precision pruning to restore that perfect sunset view, Blooma Tree Experts is ready with complete science based solutions.
- Tree Pruning & Trimming: Structural tree pruning in Phinney Ridge will be performed to open up dense canopies so as to pass wind breezes between the branches.
- Crown Reduction & Raising: Smart, selective pruning to clear roofs and restore mountain views, but not top the tree.
- Tree Removal: Advanced rigging techniques for dead or dangerous trees on steep slopes for safe and highly controlled removals on Phinney Ridge.
- Cabling & Bracing: Providing dynamic bracing for large, wind vulnerable branches on old conifer trees.
- Hazard Tree Assessment: Official TRAQ evaluations to assess the safety and storm readiness of large trees leaning over your home.
- Stump Grinding: Clean stump and surface root removal to maximize usable space in your yard.
- Hedge Trimming: Crisp, professional shearing for privacy screens along the neighborhood’s busy arterials.
- Plant Care Program: Soil conditioning and deep root fertilization to the well drained soils of the slope.
- Birch Treatment: Pesticide application and other management practices to control borers that threaten birch trees in the area.
Tree permits in Phinney Ridge
When undertaking larger tree operations it is important to be aware of the local regulations. The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) regulates tree removal and extensive pruning in Phinney Ridge.
Due to the high number of large old-growth Douglas firs and cedars in the neighborhood, many of these trees are “Exceptional Trees” based on their diameter, under city code. Exceptional trees are heavily protected. Unless an ISA-certified arborist can legally record that the tree is an irreparable hazard, it is normally not legal to remove the tree.
No guesswork with the city’s complex rules. We handle the hazard documentation, file the arborist reports, and navigate the entire permitting process for you. Learn more about Seattle tree work permits and use our Seattle Tree Removal Permit Tool to get started.
Why Phinney Ridge homeowners choose Blooma
For over 18 years, Blooma Tree Experts has been the trusted name in Seattle urban forestry. We have worked with more than 6,000 homeowners and know the balance of property safety, beautiful views and strict environmental regulations.
Hiring Blooma Tree Experts means engaging fully insured professionals. We have ISA Certified arborists and Tree Risk Assessment Qualifications (TRAQ). We follow the highest TCIA (Tree Care Industry Association) safety practices. We realize that the ridge presents special wind and slope conditions and know how to deal with them.
Recent work in Phinney Ridge
We were contacted last fall to a property on the steep west side of Phinney Ridge off Phinney Ave N. The homeowner had a large, 100′ Douglas fir tree that was providing a sight blockage to their view of the Olympic Mountains and they were concerned about its winter storm sway. Instead of illegally taking branches off the tree, our arborist, certified by the Tree Research and Analysis Questions, identified a strategic approach for reducing the tree’s crown. Our climbers carefully thinned the canopy by 15% to reduce wind resistance and meticulously “windowed” the lower canopy to open up a permanent, framed view of the mountains. “Blooma was incredible; they made our tree safe for the winter storms and gave us our sunset view back, all while keeping the tree perfectly healthy,” shared Phinney Ridge homeowner Jessica L.
Neighbours across Phinney Ridge, Madrona and Westlake have written about what it’s like to have our crew in their yard.
The steep slopes of Phinney Ridge are difficult terrain to work on, and advanced climbing and rigging skills are necessary to safely lower heavy wood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cut my trees for a better view in Phinney Ridge?
Yes, but how you do it is important. Trees cannot be “topped” (cutting the main trunk to reduce the height). It is illegal for protected trees in Seattle and destroys the tree’s structural integrity. Rather, crown reduction and windowing are used, where branches are selectively pruned to provide views through the tree while maintaining its health and natural form.
Do ridge trees have a higher probability of being blown over during windstorms?
Trees on Phinney Ridge record much more sustained wind than do trees in the low elevation neighborhoods around them. A dense canopy of trees acts like a sail and can lead to unanchored trees or failure of branches. This “sail effect” can be minimized with regular structural pruning, which lets wind flow through the branches without harm.
Will topping my fir fix my view?
No, it will make it worse. While topping might give you a temporary view, a topped tree immediately goes into shock and shoots out rapid, dense, and structurally weak “water sprouts” to replace the lost foliage. Your view will be blocked by an ugly, bushy canopy in a few years and the tree will be far more dangerous and likely to snap during a storm.
Is it necessary to get a permit to take down a tree on the ridge?
Usually, yes. Any tree that is 6” or larger in diameter must have a permit in order to be removed by SDCI. Due to the number of mature, old-growth conifers at Phinney Ridge, however, the chances of your tree being an Exceptional Tree are high. If it does, it can only be removed if it is a known hazard.
Ready for Expert Tree Care in Phinney Ridge?
Don’t compromise your views or your safety. From performing a spectacular tree risk assessment to installing structural cabling on a wind-challenged cedar to precision pruning of a water front tree, our certified arborists know how to get it done right.
