Certified Arborist Services in Seattle, Bellevue & the Greater Puget Sound

Hire a trusted ISA Certified Arborist to assess your trees, protect your property, and ensure every decision follows industry-best standards. Sound Tree Care provides professional arborist services backed by decades of climbing experience, TRAQ-qualified risk assessments, and deep knowledge of local permitting codes. Serving Seattle, Bellevue, and the greater Puget Sound.


What Does a Certified Arborist Do?

Man in uniform inspecting a tree, taking notes on a tablet in an outdoor setting.

A Certified Arborist is a tree care professional who has passed the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) exam, adheres to ANSI A300 standards, and maintains ongoing education in tree biology, pruning, risk assessment, and safety.


Unlike general tree workers, arborists specialize in:


  • Tree health and disease diagnosis
  • Structural and hazard evaluations
  • Species-specific pruning standards
  • Root issues, soil conditions, and site factor
  • Municipal tree codes and compliance
  • Emergency tree assessments
  • Tree preservation around construction
  • Professional arborist reports for permits

When you hire an arborist, you’re hiring a qualified expert who makes decisions based on science, safety, and correct industry practices—not guesswork.

Why Certification Matters

Certified Arborist Badge

ISA certification proves a baseline of education, industry knowledge, safety training, and professionalism. Sound Tree Care goes far beyond the minimum requirement:


Our arborists are:


  • ISA Certified Arborists (PN-9290A)
  • TRAQ Qualified Tree Risk Assessors
  • Highly experienced climbers with 10–20+ years of field expertise
  • Fully trained in ANSI A300 pruning standards
  • Trained to follow ANSI Z133 safety protocols
  • Up-to-date on municipal tree codes (Seattle SDCI, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Tukwila, Des Moines, Renton, etc.)

Your trees and your home deserve expertise—not shortcuts.

Professional Work Backed by Certified Expertise

All work completed by Sound Tree Care is performed or supervised by ISA Certified Arborists. Our services follow ANSI Z133 safety standards and ANSI A300 pruning guidelines to ensure proper arboricultural care, long-term tree health, and compliance with Seattle and King County regulations.

Written by Dana Ledford, ISA Certified Arborist & Permitting and Compliance Specialist

Dana Ledford

Office Manager

Elevates operations, maintains client satisfaction, and ensures administrative compliance for Sound Tree Care LLC.

This page was written by Dana Ledford, an ISA Certified Arborist and Sound Tree Care’s permitting and compliance specialist. Dana manages construction-related arborist reports, permitting workflows, and municipal code compliance for cities throughout the Puget Sound region. She has deep expertise in protected tree regulations, ECA requirements, and pre-application guidance for homeowners and builders.

Our Professional Arborist Services

Arborist in safety gear, assessing a large tree in an autumn forest.

🌲 Arborist Evaluations

We assess overall tree health, structure, vigor, root conditions, and potential hazards.


🧪 Tree Disease & Pest Diagnosis

From Bronze Birch Borer to anthracnose and fungal pathogens, we identify issues and recommend treatments.


✂️ Arborist-Led Pruning & Tree Care

Tree trimming performed according to ANSI A300 standards—not guesswork.


🪓 Hazard Tree Assessments

We identify structural defects, decay, cracks, lean, root plate movement, and site risk factors.


📑 Arborist Reports (Permitting & Compliance)

SDCI, Bellevue, Redmond, Burien, Sammamish, ECA zones, steep slopes, wetlands, shoreline—full compliance documentation.


📐 Construction Consulting & Tree Preservation

We work with architects, builders, and homeowners to design projects that preserve trees and protect roots.


⚠️ Emergency Tree Assessments

Storm-damaged or fallen trees? We respond quickly to determine safety and next steps.

💬 Certified Arborist FAQs

Hiring an arborist can be confusing if you’re not familiar with tree care terminology, city regulations, or the difference between a Certified Arborist and a general tree service. These FAQs cover the most common questions homeowners ask us about arborist consultations, tree risk assessments, permitting, and safety so you know exactly what to expect when working with a qualified ISA professional.

  • ❓Do I need an arborist or just a tree service?

    If you need pruning, removal, or storm cleanup, a tree service may work. But if you need diagnosis, a hazard assessment, permit documentation, or expert opinion, you need an ISA Certified Arborist.

    Learn about Tree Removal Costs

  • ❓Can an arborist help with a tree on my property line or neighbor dispute?

    Arborist inspects a tree

    Yes. We provide neutral, professional assessments for neighbor conflicts and boundary tree issues.

  • ❓How much does it cost to hire a Certified Arborist?

    Logo of the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries: a white, abstract symbol on a blue background, next to text.

    Arborist consultations typically range from $150–$350 depending on scope. Permit-required reports or complex assessments may be more.

  • ❓Do you provide TRAQ tree risk assessments?

    Washington State silhouette graphic

    Yes — Eric Ledford is a TRAQ Qualified Tree Risk Assessor.

  • ❓Can you help with city permits?

    Absolutely. We prepare arborist reports and guide you through city compliance requirements.

🔒 Certified Experts You Can Trust

Sound Tree Care is operated by highly skilled certified arborists—not salespeople. Every major decision, assessment, and recommendation is overseen by an ISA Certified Arborist and TRAQ Qualified Tree Risk Assessor.

Our Credentials & Compliance

  • 🪪 Washington State Licensed Contractor
  • 🛡️ Fully Insured — Liability & Workers’ Compensation
  • 🌲 ISA Certified Arborists & TRAQ Qualified
  • 🏛 SDOT & SDCI-Compliant for Seattle Right-of-Way Work
  • 📝 Written Proposals, Documentation & Permitting Support
  • ⚙️ Safe Work Procedures for Pruning, Rigging & Aerial Operations

You deserve safe, professional tree care that protects your home, your family, and your investment — every single time.

Reviewed By: Eric Ledford ISA Certified Arborist & Qualified Tree Risk Assessor

Founder, Sound Tree Care LLC ISA Certified Arborist (PN-9290A) Qualified Tree Risk Assessor (TRAQ) NUCA DigSafe Certified

This content has been reviewed by Eric Ledford, ISA Certified Arborist (PN-9290A) and TRAQ Qualified Tree Risk Assessor. Eric verifies that all recommendations reflect current ISA best management practices, ANSI A300 standards, and applicable municipal tree regulations in the Puget Sound region.

🌲Speak With a Certified Arborist Today


Whether you need a hazard evaluation, expert advice, or a full arborist report, we’re here to help. Schedule your consultation with an ISA Certified Arborist today.

 

✅ Free, No-Obligation Estimates

🪵 Full Cleanup & Debris Removal

🏗️ Permit Guidance for Seattle, Tacoma & Local Cities

⚠️ Safe Work Procedures for Removals, Rigging & Aerial Operations


🧰 ISA Certified Arborists, TRAQ-Qualified

⭐ 5-Star Rated on Google, Yelp & Facebook

🛡️ Licensed, Insured & Code-Compliant

🥇 Experience the Sound Difference: Trusted. Local. Professional.


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📍 Serving Seattle, Bellevue, Issaquah, Tacoma & Beyond