West Seattle Heavy Shrub Reduction

Homeowner’s Issue

West Seattle yards get hammered by a Pacific Northwest combo: short, hard bursts of sun in summer, long wet winters, and pockets of compacted glacial till that hold moisture and feed moss. On the ridge around Alki and the steeper lots near Fauntleroy, shrubs that don’t get regular attention lean into walkways, block sightlines, and can exacerbate slope drainage. In the low-light corners near Lincoln Park and the Morgan Junction blocks, English ivy, moss, and fast-climbing shrubs win the battle if you don’t cut them back early and often.

Homeowners here tell me the same things: shrubs that were fine five years ago become a labor problem, attract slugs and voles, and hide broken irrigation or clogged culverts. HOAs and city sight-line rules around corners and mailboxes add pressure to keep things tidy. Because Seattle’s rainy season dominates the year, pruning in late spring or early summer gives wounds time to harden before the wet. We avoid chemical herbicides entirely; solutions rely on pruning, root work, mulching, and repeat follow-ups. The goal is safer walkways, restored views, less rot and fewer trips to the green bin—done in ways that hold up to our microclimates and steep sites.

Our Quality Service

We reduce heavy shrubs using hand and power tools—loppers, pruning saws, reciprocating saws, and a chipper when needed—always following sustainable pruning practices. Jobs run from a half-day for a small lot to one or two days on steep, overgrown properties. We focus on selective reduction (not hard-topiary), removing deadwood, thinning for air and light, and reshaping to fit your site.

Local insight: we cut back during a drier window (late spring–early summer) when wounds heal faster, and we look for root invasions in compacted glacial soils. On slopes we preserve root structure where possible, install sacrificial mulch to reduce erosion, and route cut material to compost or the green waste bin. Benefits: safer yards, better curb appeal, reduced long-term work, and plantings that recover and need less water and pruning over time.

What’s Included

• On-site assessment and targeted reduction plan.
• Selective pruning, thinning, and shaping.
• Removal of large limbs, deadwood, and invasive vines.
• Cleanup: wood-chipping on-site or haul-away to green waste.
• Organic mulch application (optional).

Options / Upgrades:

• Sheet-mulch bed refresh with compost and 3” organic mulch.
• Root collar uncovering and root-pruning for overgrown specimens.
• Native shrub replacement and small-planting (drought-tolerant species).
• Haul-away vs. green-bin drop (we sort and dispose to city green waste).
• Repeated maintenance cadences (quarterly / bi-monthly / seasonal).

Before & After / Expectations

Expect noise (saws, chipper) and a short-term mess while we work; we leave the site broom-clean and wood-chip where requested. Access matters: we need clear vehicle access or a short carry-in path for gear. Large slopes or dense ivy can add time—plan for a follow-up visit if roots need excavation.

Short care tips for West Seattle:

• Water new cuts lightly in dry summer mornings for the first 2–3 weeks.
• Watch for moss and ivy regrowth in shaded, moist pockets; plan a fall touch-up.
• Prune lightly every 1–2 years to avoid heavy re-cuts that stress plants.
• Avoid pruning big cuts in the wettest months; late spring/early summer is best.

FAQs (3–5)

• Q: How long will the job take?
  A: Small yards: half-day; typical lots: 1 day; very overgrown or steep sites: 1–2 days plus possible follow-up.

• Q: Do you use herbicides?
  A: No. We use only mechanical and organic methods—cutting, hand-pulling, mulching, and repeat maintenance.

• Q: What about disposal?
  A: We chip on-site when practical or haul to the green waste facility. Choose chip spread, composting, or haul-away.

• Q: Will my shrubs survive reduction?
  A: Most native and common foundation shrubs recover well with selective reduction and mulch; some invasive or overcut specimens may need replacement.

Call to Action

If your West Seattle yard—Alki, Morgan Junction, Fauntleroy, or nearby—is due for a sensible, sustainable shrub reduction, book a free estimate. Quick scheduling, honest pricing, and local experience with our slopes and microclimates. Email neatandtidyseattle@gmail.com to set a time.

Neat & Tidy Landscaping Team
Mon–Sun: 9am–6pm
206-538-9344
Licensed • Bonded • Insured