Tree Trimming and Pruning Toronto

Tree Pruning & Trimming Service FAQs

Why do trees need to be trimmed?

Homeowners in Toronto have plenty of reasons for tree pruning and trimming, including:

• More sunlight for a pool, garden or lawn
• Improving curb value or real estate value before a home sale
• Getting branches off the roof or stopping animals from using trees as a “highway”
• Pushing back branches from a car or other property
• Worrying about the safety of dead branches
• Concerns about the health of a tree
• Wanting the tree to stay the same size or to trim the tree smaller
• Improving or changing the shape of a tree
• To induce or reduce flowering or fruiting
• Anxiety over rot in a tree or broken branches
• Storm damage to tree limbs
• Dead tree limb removal to avoid falling branches
• Keeping feature trees and prized ornamentals healthy

Do I need a permit for tree cutting in Toronto?

No, so long as you are not injuring the tree. Tree injury relates to the use and application of best arboricultural practices. Cutting a tree in half, cutting off most of its foliage, topping the tree, and other practices would fall under the category of injury, which is against the private tree bylaws in Toronto.

<p>Who is responsible for trimming overhanging branches in Toronto?</p>

The property owner with the overhanging branches is responsible for their maintenance. However, if they encroach onto a neighbouring property, your neighbour may also have the right to prune them back within their boundary lines.

In general, homeowners are responsible for maintaining, trimming and pruning trees on their properties. For city-owned trees located on public land or road allowances, the City of Toronto takes care of trimming through its Urban Forestry Department.

How much does it cost to trim a tree in Toronto?

The cost of trimming or pruning a tree in Toronto varies based on factors such as size, species complexity, accessibility challenges and the amount being removed. 

Why should I hire a certified arborist to prune my tree?

Certified arborists have the knowledge and experience to ensure quality workmanship and protect you from potential liabilities through extensive insurance coverage for their work and employees. While handymen and landscapers may be capable of removing branches, sometimes the cure is worse than the disease. Incorrectly cutting branches and limbs off can cause significant injury and damage to a tree.

Another benefit that certified arborists bring is an expert perspective with a longer, more comprehensive view. Cutting off a few nuisance branches may seem simple enough, and sometimes it can be. Other times, it won’t actually achieve what you want, like adding sunlight to your garden or getting a tree away from your car.

Small, low branches are rarely the cause of the worst tree problems. Instead, it is the branches much higher up that are shading your backyard or rubbing against the roof. Since we see these issues constantly, the perspective of a certified arborist can inform your decision and help you get the most out of your tree pruning service.

What are some types of tree pruning services?

• Aesthetic trimming: Making your tree look more beautiful or appealing, like a feature tree for landscaping.
• Functional pruning: Removing branches to improve access to your yard, reduce animal traffic or increase sunlight onto your grass or gardens.
• Structural Pruning: Promoting healthy growth habits, altering the shape or improving sun and wind penetration for tree vitality.
• Deadwood Pruning: Cutting dead branches to make the tree healthier and safer.
• Maintenance pruning: Removing live branches that have grown too big, spread too wide or have structural issues like rot and decay.
• Hazard reduction: Removing branches or limbs that pose a safety hazard to people or property.
• Crown cleaning: Removing dead, dying, and diseased branches from the crown area of a tree.
• Clearance Pruning: Cutting off branches that are growing too close, onto or over a structure or area like a roof, pool or deck
• Crown thinning: Selectively removing branches to increase light penetration and air movement through the crown.
• Raising / Elevation Pruning: Removing lower branches to provide clearance for pedestrians or vehicles below.
• Crown reduction: Reducing the size or height of a tree by selectively cutting back its limbs and foliage at the tips throughout the whole outer canopy.

What are the benefits of trees to people?

• Psychological Benefits of Trees: Looking out at trees lowers your cortisol and stress levels, improves well-being and lightens moods. You don’t need a hike in a forest to achieve this; even looking or sitting under your own backyard trees can improve your mental health and sense of well-being.
• Physical Benefits of Trees: Trees can also help you reduce heat around your property, lower heating bills in the summer, or provide a shaded place to rest on a hot day. On top of that, getting a good dose of nature in your own backyard can lower your blood pressure and contribute to overall physical wellness due to the psychological impacts discussed above.

Does tree pruning hurt trees?

Trees that are trimmed or pruned according to best arboricultural practices are not being harmed. In forest environments, trees compete with one another and will shed limbs or be overtaken by other larger trees. In the city, there is less competition for resources, which means overgrowth can occur, as well as dead branches, storm breaks, and other issues. Pruning trees to contain their size and spread, as well as eliminating hazards, keeps them healthy and safe for longer. When trees are not maintained, they can become very costly to fix or remove in future.