Removing or Felling Trees

Tree Removal in Toronto

Removing Trees, Large and Small

Vista Tree provides full tree and shrub removal services in Toronto by professional arborists. We work with homeowners and businesses to remove unsafe trees, take out trees for construction and emergency tree removal. 

The first thing we usually get asked about related to tree removal is the cost. We’re not shy about what we charge, or were we sit among the competition.

Our price guides explain all the factors influencing tree removal prices, divided up between cost of large trees (need a permit) and cost of small trees (do not need a permit).

If you think your tree must come down, first call a certified arborist to get advice. Tree removal laws and bylaws are quite complex and strict, especially in the City of Toronto. A professional arborist in Toronto can tell you if your tree is healthy or dangerous and what to do about it. 

Let's solve your tree problems!

Vista Tree has quick response times, clear quotes and guaranteed delivery. We’re Certified Arborists, who are as passionate about customer service as we are about tree service! Our expertise is backed up with many years experience delivering  the best outcomes for our clients, their properties and their trees, every time. 

Toronto Tree Removal FAQs

Our tree felling and removing services include tree removal, shrub and hedge removal, felling, and emergency tree removal. We can remove trees of all shapes and sizes. We also do commercial tree removal for construction and renovation.

We are able to remove trees in tight spaces where felling the tree isn’t possible, using advanced techniques and equipment. This is challenging, precise work that only a professional arborist should undertake. When necessary, we use Spyder lifts, cranes and skid steers to make the removal process safe and efficient. No matter what technique we use, we do a meticulous clean of your property when we're done.

If your tree requires a permit, we will write the arborist report for you and submit the application on your behalf. Toronto tree removal bylaws require a permit to remove trees wider than 30 cm in diameter. That's a trunk roughly the size of a telephone post at 4.5ft, for reference. Click to learn more about how to know when you need an arborist report.

We offer tree removal service in the city of Toronto, including York, East York, Scarborough, North York and Etobicoke. We offer service as far north as Stouffville and Markham, and as far east as Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering and Ajax. We have offices five minutes from downtown Toronto, in East York as well as a second office in Scarborough.

We can assess your tree’s health and determine the best way to care for your tree and property. If removing the tree is the right choice, our arborists will work to safely remove your tree. If your tree requires a permit before removal, we will handle getting it for you. Our arborists will assess the tree, write a report and manage the application on your behalf.

 

Our tree company is fully licensed, insured and staffed by Certified Arborists. We operate in the City of Toronto and neighbouring areas to provide tree felling and removal quickly, safely and efficiently. Learn more about our tree company here.

Most trees in Toronto are removed for construction, followed by the tree being hazardous. Tree hazards are not the same as tree problems. The risk a tree poses can only be assessed by a certified arborist trained in tree risk assessment. If you feel your tree is a risk, contact us to get a free assessment.

Storm damage is another common reason for trees to be removed. After a wind or ice storm, trees many have significant damage and may need to be removed for safety. Signs of risk include broken branches, cracks or splits, tree roots moving and significant changes to the tree after a storm.

If something is wrong with your tree, it may be a problem with how it has grown, or damage that occurred in the past. The best way to handle the tree problem is to have it assessed before it becomes a bigger issue.

The cost of removing trees varies depending on the species, size, location and how dangerous or technical the removal is. Smaller trees are generally cheaper. Larger trees become more expensive the more complicated they are to remove.

Vista Tree provides clear and upfront pricing on all of our estimates. You’ll receive a written breakdown of the total cost based on your consultation with our qualified arborists. Whatever the tree removal situation you’re facing, we take a no-nonsense approach to the cost of tree removal.

First, read our post about how to tell if your tree is dangerous. If the tree is small, it may be removed right away. If it is a large tree, however, you will have to get a permit to remove it. You are allowed to remove trees from your property without a permit only when it is an imminent hazard and the city grants an exemption.

For this application, you'll need to prove the tree is at imminent risk of failure which means it could fall at any minute and is likely to harm someone or cause property damage. This threshold is very high. An arborist report can help you make the argument to the city that the tree needs to go. If the tree is entirely dead, no permit is required but proof must still be retained and submitted.

If your tree qualifies for an exemption as a hazardous tree or is dead (died naturally or destroyed in a storm), you'll need to remove it as soon as possible. The maximum time allotted by the city is 72 hours after granting an exemption. 

Since tree companies are generally very busy during summer and after storms, it is better to consult with an arborist before you contact the city. Since you'll need to remove the tree on an emergency basis, it is better to have a tree removal company in place before you receive approval. 

If your tree doesn't receive an exemption, you can still remove it through the regular tree permit process.

When you're searching for a tree company, getting a professional, locally owned option is tough. Big box companies aren't local, and they don't offer the high quality or customer service you need. On the other hand, how can you tell if a small, locally owned tree company is trustworthy? We have a list of the best tree removal companies in Toronto, and the best smaller, local tree removal companies as well. 

Our tree removal service is fully insured. We are certified arborists with diplomas in Urban Arboriculture from Humber College, among many other credentials and certifications. We are a professional, family-owned business with employees located in the City of Toronto. We're big enough to handle all your needs, and small enough to care about all the details deeply.

Judge us by the company we keep

We're proud to be certified by leading industry associations, contributing members to the arborist industry and supporters of the broader business community.

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