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Kawartha Lakes, Ontario · Updated September 2026

Best Tree Services in Kawartha Lakes

The three highest-scoring tree companies that serve Kawartha Lakes, ranked by LEAF Score. Every company in Ontario is checked the same way, on insurance coverage, arborist credentials, experience and reviews. No company can pay to be at the top of this page.

23companies serve Kawartha Lakes
11with WSIB clearance confirmed
2.5average leaves here

Kawartha Lakes’s top 3 by LEAF Score

1

Treescape Certified Arborists (Treescape Tree Care Professionals Limited)

Serves Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough, Ennismore, Lakefield and Buckhorn and more

4.8 · 133 Google reviewsWSIB clearance confirmed · to Nov 19, 2026
Not yet verified by the businessThese details come from our own research. Is this your business? Claim this listing

Specializations

Tree removal (small)Tree removal (large)Tree pruning (small)Tree pruning (large)Hedge trimming (medium and large)Stump grinding (small)Stump grinding (large)Tree planting (small)Tree planting (large)Cabling & bracingFertilizationHydro line clearance24/7 emergency serviceCrane servicesOn-site consultationLegal / bylaw dispute assistanceArborist reportsTree protection plansTree risk assessmentTree appraisalAir excavationPest & disease treatmentLand clearingEducation and advocacyWood chips - UNrefined - LARGE quantityWood chips - Refined - LARGE quantity
Inferred from our research — not yet confirmed by the businessNot inferred — ask directly
Visit websiteFull profile →
7/10LEAF Score

Score breakdown

50+ Google reviews133 Google reviews
5+ years in business25 years in business
Employs a Certified Arborist1 ISA Certified Arborist (including Board Certified Master Arborists)
Employs a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification holder1 with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
Andrew Smit, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification See certificate →
Employs a Board Certified Master Arborist1 Board Certified Master Arborist
Andrew Smit, Board Certified Master Arborist, ON-1292BM See certificate →
Certificate of insurance on fileNot posted
Valid WSIB clearanceWSIB clearance confirmed
Matched WSIB account: TREESCAPE TREE CARE PROFESSIONALS LIMITED See certificate →
Transparent pricingNot posted
Verified their own listingNot yet confirmed
Founded in CanadaFounded in Canada
2

Stewart Services

Serves Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough

5.0 · 113 Google reviewsWSIB clearance confirmed · to Nov 19, 2026
Not yet verified by the businessThese details come from our own research. Is this your business? Claim this listing

Specializations

Tree removal (small)Tree removal (large)Tree pruning (small)Tree pruning (large)Hedge trimming (medium and large)Stump grinding (small)Stump grinding (large)Tree planting (small)Tree planting (large)Cabling & bracingFertilizationHydro line clearance24/7 emergency serviceCrane servicesOn-site consultationLegal / bylaw dispute assistanceArborist reportsTree protection plansTree risk assessmentTree appraisalAir excavationPest & disease treatmentLand clearingEducation and advocacyWood chips - UNrefined - LARGE quantityWood chips - Refined - LARGE quantity
Inferred from our research — not yet confirmed by the businessNot inferred — ask directly
Visit websiteFull profile →
6/10LEAF Score

Score breakdown

50+ Google reviews113 Google reviews
5+ years in business15 years in business
Employs a Certified Arborist1 ISA Certified Arborist
Evan Walter Stewart, Certified Arborist, ON-2881A See certificate →
Employs a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification holder1 with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
Evan Walter Stewart, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification See certificate →
Employs a Board Certified Master ArboristNone confirmed
Certificate of insurance on fileNot posted
Valid WSIB clearanceWSIB clearance confirmed
Matched WSIB account: EVAN STEWART / STEWART SERVICES See certificate →
Transparent pricingNot posted
Verified their own listingNot yet confirmed
Founded in CanadaFounded in Canada
3

Virgin Tree Care

Serves Kawartha Lakes, Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax and Pickering and more

4.9 · 78 Google reviewsWSIB clearance not confirmed
Not yet verified by the businessThese details come from our own research. Is this your business? Claim this listing

Specializations

Tree removal (small)Tree removal (large)Tree pruning (small)Tree pruning (large)Hedge trimming (medium and large)Stump grinding (small)Stump grinding (large)Tree planting (small)Tree planting (large)Cabling & bracingFertilizationHydro line clearance24/7 emergency serviceCrane servicesOn-site consultationLegal / bylaw dispute assistanceArborist reportsTree protection plansTree risk assessmentTree appraisalAir excavationPest & disease treatmentLand clearingEducation and advocacyWood chips - UNrefined - LARGE quantityWood chips - Refined - LARGE quantity
Inferred from our research — not yet confirmed by the businessNot inferred — ask directly
Visit websiteFull profile →
4/10LEAF Score

Score breakdown

50+ Google reviews78 Google reviews
5+ years in business1 years in business
Employs a Certified Arborist1 ISA Certified Arborist
Craig D. Virgin, Certified Arborist See certificate →
Employs a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification holder1 with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
Craig D. Virgin, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification See certificate →
Employs a Board Certified Master ArboristNone confirmed
Certificate of insurance on fileNot posted
Valid WSIB clearanceNo WSIB account found under this business name
Transparent pricingNot posted
Verified their own listingNot yet confirmed
Founded in CanadaFounded in Canada

Ties are broken by number of credentials (each Certified Arborist, Board Certified Master Arborist and Tree Risk Assessment Qualification holder counts, so someone with two counts twice), then Google reviews.

More companies serving Kawartha Lakes

4Bartlett Tree Experts (Kawartha location)Central Ontario/Cottage Country · 4.9 from 200 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed3/105Knowles Tree ServiceDurham Region · 5.0 from 71 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed3/106MC Tree ServiceCentral Ontario/Cottage Country · 4.6 from 42 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed3/107TREEWORKS Professional Tree CareCentral Ontario/Cottage Country · 4.4 from 41 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed3/108Living Legacy Tree CareCentral Ontario/Cottage Country · 5.0 from 11 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed3/10See all 23 companies serving Kawartha Lakes on the map →
A gutter with a guard on top. Wet leafs pile up on the guard and carry rain water over the front edge of the gutter instead of into it, so guards still need to be cleared from time to time.
Homeowner question

Do gutter guards work against leafs?

They can help, but it is important to understand that they are not a cure-all. Having a gutter guard does not mean the gutters will never need to be inspected and cleared of leafs from time to time.

This is particularly the case when leafs get wet and accumulate. The leafs can sit on the gutter guard and act as a bridge, carrying the water right over the top of the gutter.

Before you cut

Kawartha Lakes’s private tree rules

No permit needed for private trees

Kawartha Lakes does not require a permit to remove trees on your own property. You do need a permit to cut or damage a City-owned tree, including on road and shoreline road allowances.

Whole city

No private tree permit

The City does not currently regulate removing trees on private land. A proposed private-tree by-law was narrowed and then paused.

Whole city

City-owned trees need a permit

Since September 2024, no one may damage or remove a City-owned tree without a permit. This includes road allowances, shoreline road allowances and water-access lots.

Development sites

Possible future rule for development

A draft by-law would cover trees only on land with a Planning Act application. It has not been passed.

Anywhere in Ontario

Trees on a property line

A tree whose trunk sits on the line belongs to both neighbours. Ontario’s Forestry Act says you need your neighbour’s consent before removing or injuring it.

What’s changing

Rules under review

Draft tree protection by-law limited to Planning Act development applications (latest draft Feb 5, 2025; Council direction Sept 24, 2024). Paused by staff due to tariff uncertainty; no return date set as of last City update.

Not sure if you need a permit?

Ask the municipality before any work starts. A good tree company will also check for you and tell you who applies for the permit.

City of Kawartha Lakes Customer Service (Tree By-law Administrator: treebylaw@kawarthalakes.ca)

705-324-9411 (toll-free 1-888-822-2225)Official information page →

Summary checked September 2026. It’s a plain-language guide, not legal advice. Bylaws change, so confirm with the municipality before you remove a tree.

Sources
The same tree twice. In winter with the leafs off, an arborist sees the branch structure, joints, cracks and dead limbs. With the leafs on, they see leaf health, dieback and pests.
Homeowner question

Should an arborist assess a tree with the leafs on or off?

Both views have their pros and cons. In the winter an arborist can see the overall structure of the tree better. If there are splits in branches, we can see them more clearly. The downside is that sometimes it is a little harder to see which branches are dead or alive.

Bottom line: if you think your tree needs to be assessed, don't let the time of year stop you from reaching out to an arborist.

Before you hire

What to check before you hire a tree service

Tree work is dangerous, and it’s expensive to fix when it goes wrong. Six questions worth asking any company, including the ones on this page.

  1. Ask for a WSIB clearance certificate and proof of liability insurance

    Tree work is one of the most dangerous jobs out there. We do our best on our end, but these certificates can change before we have a chance to update them. Some good companies will give them to you without you even having to ask. Bonus!

  2. Find out who will actually do the work

    You may get a Certified Arborist as your salesperson, but will the same be true of the person who works on your property? You won't know until you ask. A Certified Arborist may cost more, but it can cost a lot more if the work is done wrong and the tree dies early or your property is damaged.

  3. Get the quote in writing

    It should say exactly which trees, and whether cleanup, wood removal, stump grinding and so on are included. The more detailed the quote, the better.

  4. Ask who handles the permit

    If a bylaw applies, agree up front who applies for the permit and who pays the fee. Removing a protected tree without one usually means a fine for the property owner, not the tree company.

  5. If money is tight, try this

    See if the work can be scheduled in a slower season for a lower price. Clear obstacles (fences, gates, lawn ornaments, plants) before the crew arrives. Find someone online, such as on Facebook Marketplace, who will take the wood for free. Or change the scope of work, for example pruning only the lower half of the tree instead of the whole tree.

  6. Trees near power lines are a utility job

    If branches touch or come close to a hydro line, call your local hydro utility (the one on your electricity bill) first. Only crews the utility approves can work near power lines.

A year strip of months showing the dormant season as best for pruning live branches, the spring growth flush as the time to avoid heavy pruning, and dead or hazardous limbs removable any time.
Homeowner question

Does it matter when a tree gets pruned?

If the branches are dead or truly hazardous, then to protect your health and safety, it doesn't matter. Do it any time of the year. For live branches it is best done before the spring growth flush, when wounds close the fastest.

Tree services near Kawartha Lakes

PeterboroughClaringtonOshawaWhitbyAjaxPickering

LEAF Scores reflect public records and research on the date checked. Always confirm insurance, certification and WSIB coverage directly with a company before you hire it.