Columbia Tree Professionals LLC logo
Columbia Tree Professionals crew with chipper and truck at a job site in Cowlitz County, Washington

Kelso, WA

About Columbia Tree Professionals

An owner-operated tree service working out of Kelso — Ryan Norris climbs, runs the rigging, and walks every estimate himself.

  • Serving Cowlitz County & Clark County
  • Licensed & Insured
  • 34 Google reviews

Our Story

A Small Local Company That Never Tried to Become a Big One

Columbia Tree Professionals is Ryan Norris’s company, run out of Kelso on Mt Pleasant Road. He has been working trees in this valley for well over a decade — long enough that customers who hired him years ago are now on their fourth or fifth job with us, and long enough that a fair number of them refer to the business simply as "Ryan."

That is deliberate. There is no dispatch queue, no commissioned salesperson, and no call center between you and the person who will be up in your tree. When you call, you get someone who can actually answer the question. When you get an estimate, it came from the person who has to figure out how to rig the thing.

We specialize in hazard tree and limb removal, pruning, view enhancement, and much more. We approach every potential job with honesty and professionalism, and we are committed to being transparent about the wellbeing of your trees and what you can expect to pay. Free on-site estimates are part of that — you should know exactly what the plan is and what it will cost before anyone starts a saw.

If you are not sure what you want done, we can help with that too. One of us will come take a look and talk through what is best for the health and the look of your trees. Sometimes that conversation ends with a removal. Often it ends with a crown reduction, a cable, or a suggestion to check back in a year.

With access to specialized equipment and years of industry experience, you can depend on us to get the job done safely and efficiently, while always being respectful of your home and property.

Ryan Norris, owner and lead climber of Columbia Tree Professionals LLC, in Kelso, Washington

Ryan Norris

Owner & Lead Climber

Runs the climbing and rigging on the technical removals, writes every estimate, and answers the phone. Works alongside a small regular crew — including his father-in-law Lance, plus Bryce and Zack, who show up in customer reviews by name.

How We Work

Four Things We Do Not Compromise On

These are not slogans — they are the specific things customers write about when they leave reviews.

Safety before speed

Every job starts with a plan: drop zone, rigging points, utility clearances, who is where. Nobody leaves the ground until the crew has agreed on how the tree is coming apart. It is the reason customers keep using the word "safe" in reviews.

Honesty about your trees

We are transparent about the wellbeing of your trees and what you can expect to pay. That cuts both ways — sometimes it means telling you the tree is fine and you do not need us this year.

Respect for the property

Ground protection over lawns, limbs lowered instead of dropped, and a rake over the site before we pull out. The compliment we get most is that you cannot tell anyone was there.

The price you were quoted

Written estimates with the scope spelled out, and we hold to them. One customer put it plainly: held to estimate, did a great job. That is the whole standard.

The Crew, the Gear and the Shop

Small outfit, owned equipment, and the same faces on your property every time.

  • Ryan Norris, owner of Columbia Tree Professionals LLC, in a climbing saddle in Kelso, Washington
    Ryan climbs, rigs and writes every estimate himself.
  • Columbia Tree Professionals crew loading gear at their Mt Pleasant Road shop in Kelso
    The shop is on Mt Pleasant Road. We are not going anywhere.
  • Worn climbing saddle, ropes and rigging hardware laid out on a work truck tailgate
    Owned gear, maintained gear, inspected before it leaves the shop.

Credentials & Coverage

What “Licensed and Insured” Should Actually Mean

Washington does not issue a license specifically for tree work, which is why so many companies say the word and leave it there. Here is the version worth checking — for us or anyone else you call.

Liability insurance

Covers damage to your property. Ask any contractor for a certificate of insurance — and ask that it come from the insurer directly, not as a PDF the contractor forwards you.

Workers compensation

The one most homeowners never ask about, and the one that matters most. If a climber is hurt in your tree and the company has no coverage, that exposure can land on you.

Contractor registration

Washington contractors register with L&I. You can look any company up yourself before you hire them — including us. We will hand over our documentation on request.

We are licensed and insured, and we will provide documentation before work starts if you ask. We would rather you check than take our word for it — read how to verify a tree service in Washington and run the same check on every quote you get.

In Their Words

34 Reviews, Rated 4.9

Read all reviews
I'm a claims adjuster for a large insurance carrier. When I received a claim where a tree fell on an elderly customer's roof, and he was unable to find a contractor on his own, I had to do a search for him. I called Ryan and explained the situation and he was out there within a couple of hours removing the tree debris and even taking photos of the damaged structures for my assessment. I cannot express how great it was working with him and how big of a help he was. He also sent the invoice to me directly and his billing was very reasonable for the amount of work. 100% know who to call if this situation arises again. Thanks Ryan!
Michael NelsonGoogle review · a year ago · Emergency tree removal
I first reached out to Ryan nearly 10 years ago to have some trees removed off my property. He was very knowledgeable about all the trees and the details of how they grow and what things to consider when having them removed. Not only was his knowledge of trees and removing them extensive, overall he was very SAFE about doing it! His team was able to rope down each limb very carefully so that none of my flowers or grass was damaged. Friendly, safe, reliable, and professional. They even raked and cleaned up so that no debris or mess was left in my yard. I have used him for ALL of my tree cutting and trimming needs ever since. Good pricing and a true master of the craft. I would highly recommend.
Austin SeelyGoogle review · 5 years ago · Tree removal
Fantastic local business! Ryan is quick, professional and very easy to work with. Would definitely use again. We now have views of the river and Lewis and Clark bridge right out our back door. 10/10 recommend!
Samantha St. GermainGoogle review · 3 years ago · Tree removal

Service Area

203+ Communities Across the Lower Columbia

Cowlitz County and Clark County are home. We also work the south Lewis County, Wahkiakum County and Skamania County edges when the trip makes sense.

See every area

Find Us in Kelso

We work out of Kelso and cover Cowlitz County and Clark County — which means a real local crew, not one dispatched from the other end of the state after a storm.

Address

622 Mt Pleasant Rd
Kelso, WA 98626

Hours

  • Monday – Friday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Sunday: Closed — emergency calls answered
Get Directions

Free On-Site Estimates

Let’s take a look at your trees.

Free on-site estimate, honest assessment, and a written price before anything starts.

  • 34 Google reviews
  • Licensed & Insured
  • Free On-Site Estimates
  • Based in Kelso, WA
(208) 635-2100Tap to call — free estimateGet a QuoteFree on-site estimate