Some Kirkland trees have no safe way down. The fir leans over the roof, the backyard is all deck, hot tub and greenhouse, or the trunk is too rotten to hold a climber. A crane solves that: each section is cut, held by the crane, and lifted over the house to the street. Kirkland Sentinel Tree Care plans crane removals when they are the safest way, not by default.
How a crane removal works
- Site visit. Crane size depends on the distance from the setup point to the tree and the weight of the heaviest piece.
- Setup. The crane sets up in the street or driveway on outrigger pads. Sloped streets on Finn Hill and in Juanita need careful positioning.
- Rig and cut. A climber (or a bucket on smaller trees) attaches the crane sling to each section, then cuts it free.
- Lift and land. The operator lifts the piece over the house and sets it down by the chipper or truck.
- Repeat until the trunk is short enough to fell or cut at the base.
When we recommend one
- The tree leans over the house and lowering pieces would put loads over the roof
- The backyard is enclosed, with no room to land pieces and no access for equipment
- The tree is dead or decayed, so climbing it or anchoring ropes to it isn’t safe
- A tree is already on the roof after a storm. See emergency removal
- Very large Landmark firs where pieces are too heavy to rig
Kirkland logistics
- Street use. If the crane or trucks block a lane or sidewalk, a right-of-way use permit from the city may apply. We check before booking.
- Wires. Crane booms need clearance from power lines; some jobs need PSE coordination first.
- Neighbours. A crane day blocks the street for a few hours. A note to neighbours the day before saves a lot of friction.
- Paperwork. The crane doesn’t change the tree rules: notification, Landmark permit or hazard permit still apply.
Is it worth the cost?
Often yes on hard trees. A crane can turn a two-day rigging job into a few hours, keeps heavy wood off lawns and septic fields, and removes the riskiest climbing. We’ll price both methods where both are possible.
Tree over the house with nowhere to lower it? Ask if a crane makes sense.
(425) 000-0000Common questions
When is a crane needed for tree removal?
When pieces can't be safely lowered into the yard: the tree hangs over the house, the backyard is full of structures, the wood is too decayed to climb or rig from, or the tree is already lying on a roof after a storm.
How much does a crane add to tree removal?
Crane hire for a residential tree job often adds $1,500 to $4,000, depending on crane size and hours. On difficult trees, it can lower the total because the work goes much faster and avoids yard repairs.
Does a crane damage the street or driveway?
Cranes sit on outrigger pads to spread their weight. Driveways can be protected with mats, but some older or sloped driveways can't take the load, so the crane sets up in the street instead.