Eric Ledford – ISA Certified Arborist & TRAQ Tree Risk Assessor in Seattle

Eric Ledford is an ISA Certified Arborist, TRAQ Qualified Tree Risk Assessor, and owner of Sound Tree Care LLC serving Seattle and the greater Puget Sound.

Eric specializes in hazardous tree evaluations, arborist reports, technical removals, permitting support, and practical recommendations for complex tree situations.

⭐ ISA Certified Arborist • TRAQ Qualified Risk Assessor • Permit-Aware Tree Evaluations
📍 Serving Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Tacoma, Kent, and the greater Puget Sound

Why Work Directly With Eric Ledford?

When a tree decision involves safety, permits, property damage, construction conflicts, or legal exposure, you need more than a tree company salesperson. Eric combines field experience, technical tree work, risk assessment training, and local code knowledge to help clients make clear, defensible decisions.

Eric Ledford ISA Certified Arborist and TRAQ assessor in tree canopy Seattle

Eric Ledford

ISA Certified Arborist PN-9290A 🔗
TRAQ Qualified Tree Risk Assessor🔗

Eric leads advanced tree risk assessments, hazard mitigation planning, and arborist reporting for permitting and development projects. He provides defensible, code-compliant recommendations that align with Seattle and regional municipal requirements.

Document with magnifying glass icon
  • Risk Assessment (TRAQ)
  • Hazard Mitigation
  • Arborist Reporting
  • Code Compliance
  • Technical Removals 

Professional Credentials

☑ ISA Certified Arborist PN-9290A

☑ TRAQ Qualified Tree Risk Assessor

☑ NUCA Dig Safe Certified

Specialized Experience

☑ Seattle tree code & ECA familiarity

☑ Hazardous tree assessments

☑ Arborist reports & permit documentation

Seattle Arborist Eric Ledford certification badge

ISA Certified Arborist

ISA Certified Arborist 

PN-9290A
Seattle Arborist Eric Ledford qualification badge

Seattle Arborist Eric Ledfrd Tree Risk Assessor AQualificaified

Seattle Arborist Eric Ledford certification badge
NUCA Dig Safe certified arborist Washington underground utility safety certification
Best Fit For

Eric Is the Right Arborist When You Need Help With:

☑ Hazardous or declining trees near homes
☑ Tree risk assessments for removal decisions
☑ Advanced tree inspections & TRAQ evaluations
☑ Arborist reports for permits, insurance, or disputes
☑ Trees in steep slopes, shorelines, or ECAs
☑ Construction impacts, root damage, or excavation conflicts
☑ Technical removals requiring arborist-level planning
☑ Clear documentation for cities, HOAs, attorneys, or contractors

Need a Practical Second Opinion on a Tree?

Get direct input from an ISA Certified Arborist & TRAQ Risk Assessor experienced with hazardous trees, permits, removals, and complex site conditions.

📩 Request Arborist Consultation

Arborist Tree Climbing

👉 Professional Arborist Tree Climbing in Seattle

Tree risk assessment and technical tree work require real-world experience. These videos highlight Eric’s hands-on approach to evaluating trees, working safely at height, and executing complex removals and pruning operations.

Arborist Tree Felling

👉 Controlled Tree Felling & Hazard Tree Removal

This video shows a controlled hazard tree removal using directional felling, wedges, and a rope system to guide the tree safely to the ground. Each step is planned to ensure a predictable and controlled result.

Professional Arborist Services in Seattle

Eric provides practical arborist services focused on tree risk, permitting, hazardous trees, and technically complex projects throughout Seattle and the Puget Sound region. Each recommendation is based on field experience, industry standards, and real-world site conditions — not generic sales tactics.

⚠️ Tree Risk Assessments (TRAQ)

Evaluate hazardous trees, structural defects, target exposure, and failure potential near homes, infrastructure, and occupied areas.

📄 Arborist Reports & Permitting

Code-aware arborist documentation for permits, development projects, removals, construction impacts, and municipal review.

🌲 Hazardous Tree Evaluation

Assess declining, damaged, leaning, or structurally compromised trees to determine appropriate mitigation or removal options.

🪢 Technical Tree Work

Advanced climbing, rigging, canopy access, and controlled removals in confined or high-risk environments.

🏗️ Construction & Root Impact Assessments

Evaluate excavation damage, grade changes, root disturbance, and tree protection requirements near construction activity.

🌿 Pruning & Structural Recommendations

Develop pruning strategies focused on clearance, risk reduction, canopy structure, and long-term tree stability.

Recognized Across the Seattle Tree Care Community

Eric works with homeowners, contractors, HOAs, and property managers throughout Seattle and the Puget Sound region. Sound Tree Care is recognized through regional business organizations, community involvement, and ongoing participation within the Seattle-area tree care industry.

📍 Serving Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, and the greater Puget Sound region

Comcast RISE 2025 grant recipient award for small business in Seattle
Nextdoor Neighborhood Faves award for local tree service company
Seattle Metro Chamber of Commerce member logo
Greater Seattle Business Alliance member logo Seattle
White Center Business Alliance member logo

A Practical, Defensible Approach to Tree Risk & Arborist Services

Eric Ledford after completing a cat rescue from a tree in the Seattle area

Eric’s work as an arborist regularly involves unusual and technically challenging situations that require advanced climbing, rigging, and real-world problem solving. In addition to hazardous tree assessments, emergency response, and complex removals, Eric has assisted with cat rescues, drone retrievals, hanging HAM radio antennas, raptor renesting operations, and even large-scale Christmas light installations throughout the Seattle area.

These projects often require careful climbing techniques, controlled movement within tree canopies, and the ability to work safely in unpredictable environments around homes, infrastructure, wildlife, and sensitive landscapes. Eric’s approach combines practical field experience, tree biology, structural assessment, and municipal code familiarity to provide clients with clear, defensible recommendations for tree preservation, mitigation, or removal.

🔍Featured Arborist Projects by Eric Ledford

Explore real tree service projects led and completed by Eric Ledford across Seattle and the Puget Sound—from hazardous tree removals and technical climbing to arborist reports and precision pruning. Each project reflects hands-on involvement, whether performing work in the tree, developing the scope, or preparing arborist documentation. These real-world examples show how tree risks are reduced, properties are improved, and decisions are made with professional arborist guidance.

👇 Click any project to view real tree work completed by Eric Ledford near you

Not Every Tree Problem Requires Removal

Eric’s approach focuses on practical risk management and long-term tree stability — not automatic removals. In many situations, selective pruning, monitoring, mitigation, cabling, or site modifications may significantly reduce risk while preserving the tree.

Recommendations are based on observed conditions, target exposure, species characteristics, site factors, and realistic management objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arborist Services

Get answers to common questions about tree risk assessments, arborist reports, permitting, and professional tree care in Seattle and the Puget Sound.

  • How much does an arborist consultation cost?

    Arborist consultation costs vary depending on the scope of work, site conditions, travel time, and whether documentation or reporting is required. Simple site visits are typically less involved than advanced tree risk assessments, permitting support, or detailed arborist reports. Eric provides clear recommendations and practical guidance based on the specific needs of each property and project.

  • When do I need a tree risk assessment?

    A tree risk assessment may be recommended when a tree is near a home, driveway, roadway, utility line, playground, or other occupied area and shows signs of decline, defects, decay, lean, root disturbance, storm damage, or structural concerns. TRAQ assessments help evaluate the likelihood of failure, identify potential targets, and determine whether monitoring, pruning, mitigation, or removal may be appropriate.

  • How do I know if a tree is hazardous?

    Common warning signs can include dead branches, fungal growth, trunk cavities, cracking, root plate movement, soil heaving, canopy decline, sudden leaning, included bark, or recent construction impacts near the root zone. Some hazardous defects are visible from the ground, while others require advanced inspection techniques or climbing assessments to properly evaluate structural conditions within the canopy or upper trunk.


  • Can you help with tree permits in Seattle?

    Yes. Eric regularly works with Seattle tree code, Environmental Critical Areas (ECAs), tree removal permitting, arborist reporting, and code-compliant documentation for development and construction-related projects. This can include hazardous tree assessments, tree protection recommendations, mitigation planning, and permitting support for regulated sites.

  • What’s the difference between tree pruning and removal?

    Tree pruning focuses on improving tree structure, reducing risk, managing clearance, or maintaining long-term health while preserving the tree. Removal is typically considered when a tree presents unacceptable risk, severe decline, major structural defects, site conflicts, or cannot reasonably be mitigated through pruning or other arboricultural practices.

Meet the Arborists Behind Sound Tree Care

Eric works alongside a team of ISA Certified Arborists, each with specialized experience in permitting, field operations, and technical tree care. While Eric leads tree risk assessments and arborist reporting, the broader team supports project execution, client coordination, and day-to-day tree care services across Seattle and the Puget Sound. Together, this team ensures every project is completed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with local codes and industry standards.

Dana Ledford ISA Certified Arborist specializing in arborist reports and permitting

Dana Ledford

ISA Certified Arborist PN-10173A🔗

Dana specializes in arborist reporting, permitting, and project coordination across Seattle and the greater Puget Sound. She works closely with municipalities, HOAs, and contractors to ensure tree-related projects meet local code requirements and move smoothly through the approval process. In addition to preparing detailed arborist reports, Dana manages customer communication and oversees office operations to keep projects organized, compliant, and on schedule.

Hands holding a sprouting plant icon in black silhouette
  • Arborist Reports
  • Permitting
  • Code Compliance
  • Project Coordination
  • Office Management
AJ Flanagan arborist performing tree work and field operations Seattle

AJ Flanigan

ISA Certified Arborist PN-374999A🔗

AJ serves as Assistant Operations Manager, supporting both field operations and client-facing project development. He works closely with crews to coordinate job execution while also assisting customers with estimates, scope development, and problem-solving. With hands-on experience in tree work and a growing focus on arborist services, AJ helps bridge the gap between field operations and client needs to keep projects running efficiently.

Black silhouette of three trees on a horizontal line, with a cloud above the center tree
  • Estimating
  • Project Scoping
  • Operations Support
  • Customer Consultations
  • Crew Coordination
Zachary McCurry ISA Certified Arborist performing technical tree removal

Zachary McCurry

ISA Certified Arborist PN-10373A🔗

Zach is an ISA Certified Arborist who works both in the field and with clients to deliver practical, results-driven tree care solutions. He performs pruning, removals, and site evaluations while also preparing estimates and helping customers understand their options. Zach plays a key role in training crew members and ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with industry standards.

Black outline of a leaf icon with a small stem on a white background
  • Tree Pruning
  • Tree Removals
  • Site Evaluations
  • Client Estimates
  • Crew Training

Need Clear Guidance Before You Prune, Remove, or Permit a Tree?

Whether you need a tree risk assessment, arborist report, or guidance on a hazardous tree, Eric provides clear, professional recommendations based on real-world conditions. Get expert advice you can rely on before making important decisions about your trees.

📝Request Arborist Consultation