Grounds and lots
Tree removal and tree care
Tree removal, trimming and pruning, stump grinding, emergency storm cleanup, hazard tree assessments and cabling for homes and small properties across Canada and the US. Request a free quote online. For homeowners, landlords and property managers. Quote requests by email.
What's covered
- Tree RemovalIn an open yard a tree can sometimes be felled in one piece. Near a house, a fence or wires, it is taken down in sections: a climber or a bucket truck cuts pieces from the top down and lowers them on ropes, and very large trees sometimes need a crane. The quote should say which method is planned, what happens to the wood and branches, and whether the stump is included.
- Tree Trimming & PruningGood pruning removes dead, broken and crossing branches, thins a crown that catches too much wind, and gives young trees a strong structure. Cuts are made just outside the branch collar so the tree can seal the wound. Topping, which cuts large limbs back to stubs, weakens the tree and invites rot, so it should not be part of the quote.
- Stump GrindingA stump grinder chips the stump and the top of the main roots down to several inches below grade. Depth matters if you plan to plant a tree, lay sod or pour a patio there. Grinding leaves a pile of chips mixed with soil, which can be used as mulch, left in the hole, or hauled away and replaced with topsoil. Buried utilities near the stump should be located first.
- Emergency Storm CleanupAfter a storm, a tree resting on a roof or hung up in another tree is under tension and can shift without warning. Removing it safely takes rigging and experience, and sometimes a crane to lift it off the structure. If wires are involved, the electric utility has to make the area safe first. Keep photos for your insurer and ask for a written scope you can send to your adjuster.
- Hazard Tree AssessmentSigns that a tree may fail include fungus at the base, cavities or cracks in the trunk, a lean that is getting worse, soil heaving on one side, large dead branches, and a tight V-shaped fork. An assessment looks at the tree and what it could hit, then recommends whether to monitor, prune, support or remove it. Some cities ask for an arborist report before approving a removal permit.
- Cabling & BracingA tree with two large stems joined in a tight V, or a long heavy limb over the house, can split under wind or snow load. Cables installed high in the crown limit how far the stems can move apart, and rods through the trunk can hold a weak union together. Cabling is usually combined with pruning to reduce weight, and the hardware should be checked every few years.
- Roof & Clearance PruningBranches that rub on shingles, drop leaves into gutters or hang low over the driveway are some of the most common reasons people ask for tree work. Clearance pruning removes the limbs causing the problem while keeping the tree balanced. Branches near the electric service line to the house may need the utility to disconnect or cover it first, which the quote should mention.
- Lot Clearing & Brush RemovalOvergrown fence lines, a backyard taken over by buckthorn or sumac, or a small lot being prepared for a shed, a pool or an addition. Clearing means cutting brush and small trees, chipping or hauling the material, and grinding or pulling stumps where needed. The quote should say what is removed, what stays, and whether the ground is left rough or raked level.
How the work is handled
- Safety Planned FirstHouses, fences, wires and neighbours decide how a tree comes down. The method is planned before anyone starts a saw.
- Prune Before You RemoveA healthy tree that is just too big or too close can often be pruned instead. Removal is suggested when it is the right call.
- Cleanup in WritingWhether the wood is chipped, hauled, cut into firewood or left, and whether the stump is ground, all written in the quote.
- Permits FlaggedMany cities protect larger trees. The quote should say whether a permit is needed and who applies for it.
- Homes and Small PropertiesHouses, cottages, plexes, small apartment buildings and small commercial lots.
- Form Only, Your PaceSend the details when it suits you. Nobody calls you before you ask for a quote.
By climate
- Long, cold winters with heavy snow and a short, warm summerHeavy wet snow and ice storms snap limbs, especially on trees with weak forks or dead wood. Late fall and winter are good times to prune many trees while they are dormant, and frozen ground lets crews reach backyards with less lawn damage.
- Wet maritime weather, salt air, many freeze-thaw cycles and storm-driven rain and snowStorm winds and saturated soil topple shallow-rooted trees, and salt spray stresses trees near the coast. Ask for a hazard assessment before storm season, crown thinning to reduce wind load, and how fast the crew responds after a storm.
- Four seasons: humid summers, cold winters with snow and repeated freeze-thawSummer thunderstorms and winter ice both bring down limbs, and humid weather spreads disease in some species. Dormant season pruning is often best, so ask the arborist which trees to prune when, and whether any show decay or pests.
- Hot, humid summers, mild winters, heavy storms and in coastal areas hurricanes; pests and mold all yearHurricanes and strong storms turn overgrown or weak trees into a roof risk, and growth is fast all year. Ask for pruning before storm season, clearance from roofs and power lines, and how emergency cleanup is prioritized after a major storm.
- Desert heat, strong sun and UV, dust, monsoon downpours, very little freezingDrought stress and heat weaken trees, and sudden monsoon winds drop branches on cars and roofs. Prune in cooler months, ask whether deep watering or thinning will help, and have the arborist check for dead wood before storm season.
- Dry, high-altitude climate with strong UV, big day-night swings, snow and freeze-thawHeavy spring snow on leafed-out trees breaks limbs, and dry years leave conifers open to beetles. Ask for a check for beetle damage and dead wood, pruning that lightens snow load, and removal of dead trees near the house in fire-prone areas.
- Mild, wet marine climate: long rainy seasons, moss and moisture, little hard freezing near the coastSaturated soil and winter windstorms uproot tall conifers, and moss and damp encourage decay in older trees. Ask for a hazard assessment of big trees near the house before the windy season, and schedule removals in drier months when the ground can carry equipment.
- Dry summers and wet winters, wildfire smoke and ash, earthquakes, almost no snow on the coastFire risk drives most tree work, with dead limbs, dry brush and branches over roofs the top concerns. Ask about defensible space pruning and limb clearance in late spring, and check whether the area has rules on removing certain native trees.
- Extreme cold, permafrost in places, very short building season and remote freightTrees grow slowly and permafrost keeps roots shallow, so thawing ground and wind can tip them unexpectedly. Ask about removing leaning trees near buildings, clearing around power lines, and scheduling work in winter when frozen ground gives better access.
Every written quote covers
- Method and equipment
- What happens to the wood
- Stump grinding, if included
- Permit needs
- Protection for lawn and property
- Cleanup and haul-away
Questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree?
Often, depending on where you live. Many cities require a permit to remove trees above a certain trunk diameter, even on private property, and some protect specific species or every tree in certain zones. Fines can be steep. A proper quote should say whether a permit is needed and who takes care of it.
How much does tree removal cost?
It depends on the height and trunk size of the tree, its condition, what is underneath it (a house, a garage, wires, a garden), how a team and equipment can reach it, whether a crane or bucket truck is needed, and how much cleanup you want. A small tree in an open yard and a large maple over a roof are very different jobs. The only reliable number is a written quote after someone looks at it.
Is stump grinding included?
Not always. Some quotes include it, many list it separately. Grinding takes the stump below ground level so you can seed or plant over it, but it does not remove every root. Ask how deep it will be ground and whether the chips are left in the hole or hauled away and replaced with topsoil.
Can a tree near my house be pruned instead of removed?
Often, yes. Branches over the roof, dead wood and a crown that is too dense can be pruned back, and a weak fork can sometimes be supported with cables. Removal makes sense when the tree is dead or dying, leans badly toward something, or has serious decay in the trunk or roots.
When is the best time to prune trees?
For most deciduous trees, late winter while they are dormant: the structure is easy to see and the cuts close well in spring. Dead, broken or dangerous branches can be removed any time. Some species, such as oaks in areas with oak wilt, should not be pruned in spring and early summer.
A storm brought a tree down. What should I do first?
Stay away from it, especially if it is touching any wires, and contact your electric utility if lines are involved. Take photos for your insurer. Then send the details by email, noting that it is storm damage, whether the tree is on a structure, and whether a driveway or door is blocked.
Who handles trees near power lines?
Lines on the street poles are the electric utility's responsibility, and only qualified line-clearance teams can work near them. Branches near the service line to your house may need the utility to disconnect or cover it first. Mention any wires near the tree in your email so the right specialist reviews it.
How do I get a quote?
Email us your city, the service you need, and a short description: the type of tree if you know it, roughly how tall it is, and what is near it. A specialist who works in your area follows up to look at the job. Requesting a quote is free and there is no obligation to go ahead.
Cities
British Columbia
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories
Nunavut
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
- Laval
- Terrebonne
- Mascouche
- Repentigny
- Blainville
- Boisbriand
- Sainte-Thérèse
- Mirabel
- Saint-Eustache
- Deux-Montagnes
- Montréal
- Plateau Mont-Royal
- Outremont
- Westmount
- Mont-Royal
- Saint-Laurent
- Anjou
- LaSalle
- Verdun
- Pointe-Claire
- Dollard-des-Ormeaux
- Kirkland
- Beaconsfield
- Dorval
- Rosemont
- Longueuil
- Brossard
- Boucherville
- Saint-Hubert
- Québec City
- Gatineau
- Sherbrooke
- Trois-Rivières
- Saguenay
- Lévis
- Saint-Jérôme
- Drummondville
- Rosemère
- Bois-des-Filion
- Lorraine
- Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines
- Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac
- Oka
- Pointe-Calumet
- Saint-Joseph-du-Lac
- Charlemagne
- L'Assomption
- Saint-Sulpice
- Lachine
- Montréal-Nord
- Saint-Léonard
- Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
- Ahuntsic-Cartierville
- Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension
- Le Sud-Ouest
- Côte-des-Neiges–NDG
- Ville-Marie
- Pierrefonds-Roxboro
- Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles
- L'Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève
- Côte-Saint-Luc
- Hampstead
- Baie-D'Urfé
- Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
- Senneville
- Montréal-Est
- Montréal-Ouest
- Saint-Lambert
- Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville
- La Prairie
- Candiac
- Sainte-Catherine
- Saint-Constant
- Chambly
- Carignan
- Saint-Basile-le-Grand
- Beloeil
- Mont-Saint-Hilaire
- Varennes
- Vaudreuil-Dorion
- L'Île-Perrot
- Pincourt
Yukon
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Hawaii
Idaho
Iowa
Kentucky
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Mississippi
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
West Virginia
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