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Tree Removal and Tree Service Costs in Canada
Published Canadian data puts small tree removal at roughly $250 to $700, medium trees at $550 to $1,500, and large trees at $1,250 to $2,500. Hazardous or storm-damaged trees can exceed $4,000.
Tree work is priced by risk as much as by size. A forty-foot spruce in an open yard is a straightforward fell and buck. The same tree leaning over a roofline beside a power line is a rigging job with a climber, ropes and a ground crew, and it costs several times more. The published figures below are organized by tree size because that is how the industry quotes, but the sections after the table explain why location can matter more than height.
Every figure comes from a published Canadian source, named beside each row and linked at the bottom. Tree work pricing is local, so the sources are city-level — treat them as reference points, not a national tariff.
Typical tree removal costs in Canada
Published ranges in Canadian dollars, by tree size. Figures are from city-level sources in Ontario and Alberta; stump grinding is usually priced separately.
| Job | Low | Typical | High | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small tree removal, up to 30 ft (Ottawa) | $400 | $400 to $700 | $700 | Croft Tree Experts |
| Small tree removal (Toronto and Edmonton data)Toronto range $250 to $600; Edmonton small trees around $350 | $250 | $350 to $600 | $600 | Local Arborist |
| Medium tree removal, 30 to 60 ft (Ottawa) | $700 | $700 to $1,500 | $1,500 | Croft Tree Experts |
| Medium tree removal (Edmonton) | $550 | $550 to $850 | $850 | Just Trees |
| Large tree removal, 60 to 80 ft (Ottawa) | $1,500 | $1,500 to $2,500 | $2,500 | Croft Tree Experts |
| Large tree removal (Edmonton) | $1,250 | $1,250 to $2,500 | $2,500 | Just Trees |
| Hazardous or emergency tree removal (Ottawa)Storm damage, trees on structures, work near power lines | $2,500 | $2,500 to $4,000 and up | $4,000 and up | Croft Tree Experts |
| Larger trees (Toronto)Older published range; size and access decide the final number | $600 | $600 and up | $600 and up | Local Arborist |
Figures gathered October 2026. Published third-party ranges, not CentFix pricing.
What actually drives a tree work quote
Location beats size. A medium tree in an open front yard is a half-day job. The same tree boxed in between two houses, over a fence, a garage and a garden bed has to come down in pieces, each one lowered by rope. That rigging time is skilled labour, and it is where the money goes.
Condition matters just as much. A dead or storm-cracked tree cannot be climbed safely the usual way, which can mean bringing in a bucket truck or a crane. Emergency call-outs after a storm carry a premium because the crew is dropping other work and often working in poor conditions.
What happens after the tree is down is quoted separately more often than homeowners expect. Stump grinding, hauling away the wood, and chipping the brush are each their own line item. A quote that says 'removal' may leave you with a stump and a yard full of logs.
- Tree height, trunk diameter and canopy spread
- Proximity to buildings, fences, gardens and power lines
- Whether the tree can be felled or must be dismantled in sections
- Tree condition: healthy, dead, storm-damaged or leaning
- Access for equipment, including bucket trucks and chippers
- Stump grinding, debris removal and wood hauling, each quoted separately
- Permits, where the municipality requires them for removal
Permits and protected trees
Many Canadian municipalities regulate tree removal on private property, particularly for trees above a certain trunk diameter. Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and many smaller cities require a permit before a healthy tree of regulated size comes down, and removing one without a permit can mean a fine that dwarfs the cost of the job.
Ask the arborist whether your tree needs a permit before booking the work. Reputable companies know the local rules and will tell you. If a quote comes from someone who has never heard of the tree bylaw in your city, that is useful information about the quote.
Removal or pruning
Not every problem tree needs to come down. A certified arborist can often reduce a crown, remove dead wood, or cable a weak union for a fraction of the removal price, and a mature tree is worth real money to a property: shade, privacy and curb appeal that takes decades to replace.
The case for removal is clearer: dead trees, trees with major trunk decay, roots lifting a foundation or sewer line, and trees too damaged by storms to recover. When two arborists disagree about whether a tree can be saved, ask each one to explain what they see in the trunk and canopy. The explanation tells you more than the verdict.
What a fair tree work quote should itemize
Tree work quotes are often a single line, which makes them impossible to compare. Ask for the scope in writing before anyone starts a chainsaw.
- Exactly which trees and what work: removal, pruning, or stump grinding
- Whether debris removal, chipping and wood hauling are included
- Stump grinding priced separately, and to what depth
- Proof of liability insurance and workplace safety coverage
- How the crew will protect the lawn, garden and structures
- Whether a permit is needed and who obtains it
Insurance is not optional here
Tree work is one of the highest-risk trades around a home. A climber injured on your property or a limb through a neighbour's roof becomes your problem if the company is uninsured. Ask for proof of liability insurance and provincial workplace safety coverage before work starts, and be wary of any quote that seems too cheap to carry proper insurance. It probably is.
Common questions
Published city-level data runs roughly $250 to $700 for small trees, $550 to $1,500 for medium trees, and $1,250 to $2,500 for large ones. Hazardous or emergency removals can exceed $4,000. Location and access matter as much as size.
Usually not. Stump grinding is typically quoted as a separate line item, as is hauling away the wood and chipping the brush. Confirm all three before accepting a quote.
In many Canadian municipalities, yes, particularly for trees above a regulated trunk diameter. Check your local tree bylaw or ask the arborist before booking, since fines for unpermitted removal can be substantial.
Storm-damaged trees are unstable, often cannot be climbed normally, and may require a crane or bucket truck. The crew is also being pulled off scheduled work. Published Ottawa data puts hazardous removals at $2,500 to $4,000 and up.
No. CentFix does not set prices or do the work. These figures come from the published Canadian sources listed at the bottom of this page. Quotes through CentFix come from independent local arborists, with no obligation to hire.
Sources
- Croft Tree Experts, How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in Ottawa
- Just Trees, How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Arborist in Edmonton
- Local Arborist, Tree Service Prices Toronto
Prices move. These figures were gathered in October 2026 and are national or city level references from third-party publishers. CentFix does not set prices or perform the work.