West Seattle Storm recovery shrub trimming

Homeowner’s Issue

West Seattle yards feel storms harder than other parts of the city — we get heavy fall and winter rains off the Sound, wind gusts across the bluff, and pockets of compacted glacial till that don’t drain well. On flat, low-lying streets near Alki and the Duwamish delta, shrubs sit in wet soil long enough to get moss, fungal issues, and shallow root rot. On slopes around High Point and the Admiral district, storm runoff rips at root collars and leaves banks exposed. North-facing corners under maples stay shady and mossy; south- or west-facing hedges get more sun and come back faster after pruning.

After a windstorm you’ll see broken leaders, split stems, and limbs jammed into fences or sidewalks — that’s a safety and sight-line problem, and HOAs in Admiral and some condo pockets expect tidy heights and clear lines. Weed pressures are local: English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and winter annuals re-establish fast in our mild, wet months. Water use matters here — summer dries are common and the city’s green-waste rules make haul-away or green-bin sorting part of the job. We work with all that in mind: pruning to reduce wind sail, improving drainage where we can, and using only sustainable, non-chemical methods to recover shrubs and protect curb appeal.

Our Quality Service

We come in like a seasoned local crew: quick eyes on arrival, practical pruning, and clean, sustainable cleanup. Work includes hand-pruning, selective shaping, removal of dangerous limbs, and wood-chipping or green-waste hauling depending on your choice. Tools we use are sharp bypass pruners, pole saws, cordless trimmers, and a chipper for larger debris; we avoid broadcast herbicides and synthetic weed-killers.

Typical timelines:

• Small front-yard trim or storm-tidy: 1–3 hours.
• Average lot with mixed shrubs: half a day.
• Storm recovery for multiple damaged shrubs or slope work: 1–2 days.

Local insight: we pay attention to soil compaction and drainage, add mulch to retain moisture or reduce splash on roots, and recommend planting adjustments for wetter micro-sites. Benefits are immediate safety, cleaner curb appeal, and lower maintenance going forward.

What’s Included

• Site assessment and damage triage.
• Pruning for health and structure: remove broken, crossing, or dead wood.
• Shaping to HOA-friendly heights and sight lines.
• Cleanup: chip on-site where possible or haul green waste.
• Basic edging and weed pull around trimmed shrubs.

Options / Upgrades:

• Mulch + fabric installation for new beds (2–3” recommended).
• Organic, manual weed control (no herbicides): hand-pulling, repeated spot-weeding.
• Stump reduction or small grind (when needed).
• Haul-away vs. City green-bin sorting (we’ll advise fastest, lowest-impact option).
• Native shrub replacement recommendations for erosion-prone slopes.

Before & After / Expectations

Be ready for noise and a bit of mess during the workday — chainsaws and chippers are necessary for storm damage and large branches. We stage cuttings for chipping and either haul them or leave chips as mulch per your choice. Access is important: please clear narrow gateways or let us know tight driveway rules up front.

After: trimmed shrubs will look raw at first but reshoot stronger and with better structure. Expect some visible cuts for 4–12 weeks depending on species and season. We compost or chip most material; nothing synthetic goes into the bed. If you’re on a slope, expect some follow-up to monitor settling or regrowth.

Care tips for West Seattle:

• Best pruning windows: late winter for most shrubs; after flowering for spring-bloomers.
• Water deeply during dry spells (early morning), especially newly cut plants trying to re-establish.
• Watch for moss and ivy in shady, north-facing corners — remove roots at the base to reduce re-growth.
• Re-mulch in spring to reduce weed pressure and soil splash during rains.

FAQs

• Do you use herbicides?
  No. We use sustainable methods only — hand removal, mulching, and organic cultural controls.

• How soon can you start after a storm?
  We prioritize safety jobs first. Small jobs often booked within 48–72 hours; larger storm recovery may take a few days depending on demand.

• Will you haul away the debris?
  Yes — included in most quotes. You can choose green-bin sorting or full haul-away to a yard waste facility.

• What if my HOA has rules?
  Tell us before we start. We’ll trim to height and sight-line specs and document work if you need it for HOA records.

• How long until the shrubs recover?
  Initial regrowth is visible in 4–8 weeks for fast species; full shape returns over the next season.

Call to Action

If a recent wind or rain event left your shrubs ragged, we’ll get them safe and tidy without chemicals. West Seattle homeowners — from Admiral to Alaska Junction — get fast scheduling and straight answers. Reply with photos or book an on-site estimate.

Email: neatandtidyseattle@gmail.com
Phone: 206-538-9344
Licensed • Bonded • Insured

Book a free estimate and we’ll tell you what needs doing and what you can wait on.