Generally speaking, when you get a quote for removing a small tree you’ll be paying for having the tree safely cut down and all the debris removed. We include the cost of clean up and disposal of the wood in the cost of the job.

If you’re looking to have the stump removed as well, this can be included or not depending on your preference.

For us, a “small tree” is small enough not to need a permit to remove. That means it is smaller than 10 inches diameter at about 4-5ft off the ground.

The average cost to remove a small tree would be anywhere from $350+tax to a max of $1800+tax. Since you don’t need a tree permit for a small tree, it is cheaper than the cost of removing a large tree.

In some rare situations, a small tree may cost more to remove due to site conditions. For example, if the tree can only be accessed through a house, or is in a very dangerous position or situation.
These situations are very rare.

The vast majority of small trees we cut down are quite straightforward.

1. Keep your tree in good condition – the harder or more dangerous it is to remove the more costly it will be.
2. If you do not want to keep a tree, remove it before it grows bigger than 30cm diameter at breast height as this is the cut off for tree removal permits in Toronto.
3. Get the work done in the slow season, winter.

Yes! We will come and let you know exactly what the small tree removal cost for you would be, the timeline and process involved. We provide written estimates through our online client portal allowing you to view your quote, request changes and schedule work.

We never work without a written contract in advance of the job clearly stating the scope of work.

Unless there are specific circumstances such as the tree being city-owned, you do not need a permit to remove a small tree on your property so long as it is smaller than 30cm diameter at breast height.

The tree permit process in Toronto only applies to trees over a certain size or in select other circumstances.

Very small / tiny trees: you can wrap your hands around the trunk and your fingers touch on both sides. For example, a sapling or tree with a trunk about 4-6 inches wide at your chest level. Most shrubs and hedges will also fit this category.

Small trees: A tree with a trunk that is smaller than a telephone pole at chest level, but bigger than the very small tree size specified above.

Small and very small trees don’t require a permit to remove in the City of Toronto and most of the GTA. This means you can cut them down at any time.

Most small trees are small enough to fit in our chipper, meaning that the tree and its wood will be turned into wood chips. These are often available for free to residents through getchipdrop.com, but also may be dropped for schools, businesses, farms, non-profits and cemeteries. When these drop sites aren’t available or if the wood chips are contaminated, we will dispose of them through private or public dump sites for a fee.

We like to accommodate smaller tree removal jobs in between our large removals. This gives our crew a variety of work and a rest in between hard jobs. As such, smaller work tends to be booked faster than bigger work.

However, professional tree care companies book out work weeks in advance. If you need it done ASAP, there may be a few options available for scheduling. That said, you’re unlikely to find a reputable tree care company who can do the job well, fast and cheap during the busiest months of the year.

The vast majority of small tree removals take a few hours to a day. The biggest factor is how difficult it is to access the tree to remove the wood and debris / clean up. The other influencing factors are the complexity of the job – if it is in the midst of lots of obstacles or otherwise risky or dangerous.

Absolutely! We’re proud to be Certified Arborists with great insurance to protect our clients, staff and business.

Our Insurance:

• We have $5 million in liability insurance (certificate available).
• WSIB coverage for all our staff (certificate available).
• Extra insurance for any accidents on the site or on the road.

Our Certifications and Training:

• Vista Tree is staffed by exceptionally skilled arborists.
• All of our crew attend Humber College to study in the arboriculture program sponsored by our company.
• Our senior staff have also had the pleasure to teach in the same program.

What we Aren’t:

• We are not “licensed arborists” – because there is no such thing in Toronto, or Ontario.
• Arboriculture is not a restricted trade like electricians are.
• No license is available to practice arboriculture here or in most jurisdictions.

City Compliance orders are rarer for small trees, but you should take it seriously and get quotes for removing the tree ASAP to ensure you can comply. The faster you get quotes, the more time you’ll have to manage and negotiate the process.

Talk to them! Neighbour problems come up a lot in tree work.

Being proactive in advance is the best way to deal with neighbour problems around tree care and maintenance, whether it is a big tree removal or any other tree care service. This is especially true if it is a neighbour tree you’re worried about.