ArborProof

Fact-checking tree companies.

Markham, Ontario · Updated September 2026

Best Tree Services in Markham

The three highest-scoring tree companies that serve Markham, 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.

28companies serve Markham
17with WSIB clearance confirmed
3.5average leaves here

Markham’s top 3 by LEAF Score

1

Cinerea Urban Forestry Services

Serves Markham, Toronto, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Aurora

5.0 · 137 Google reviewsWSIB clearance confirmed · to Nov 19, 2026
Verified by BusinessThe business confirmed these details on October 25, 2026.

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

Pricing

Arborist reportsStarting at $375
Tree protection plansStarting at $900
Tree risk assessmentStarting at $900
Confirmed by the businessNot listed by the business
Visit websiteFull profile →
10/10LEAF Score

Score breakdown

10+ Google reviews137 Google reviews
5+ years in business10 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
Mark Ellis, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification See certificate →
Employs a Board Certified Master Arborist1 Board Certified Master Arborist
Mark Ellis, Board Certified Master Arborist, ON-1686BM See certificate →
Certificate of insurance on fileValid until March 18, 2027
We have verified insurance this year, but the policy may have changed. Verify with the company.
Valid WSIB clearanceWSIB clearance confirmed
Matched WSIB account: MARK ELLIS / CINEREA URBAN FORESTRY SERVICES See certificate →
Transparent pricingPricing posted
Verified their own listingConfirmed by the business
Founded in CanadaFounded in Canada
2

Shady Lane Expert Tree Care

Serves Markham, Richmond Hill, Toronto and Vaughan

4.9 · 569 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 reviews569 Google reviews
5+ years in business48 years in business
Employs a Certified Arborist3 ISA Certified Arborists
Jonathan Arnold, Certified Arborist, ON-1019A See certificate →
Mark Vanderwouw, Certified Arborist, ON-0131A See certificate →
Allan Hillock, Certified Arborist
Employs a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification holder1 with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
Mark Vanderwouw, 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: SHADY LANE EXPERT TREE CARE INC See certificate →
Transparent pricingNot posted
Verified their own listingNot yet confirmed
Founded in CanadaFounded in Canada
3

Derek's Tree Service

Serves Markham, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville and Etobicoke and more

4.9 · 151 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 →
5/10LEAF Score

Score breakdown

50+ Google reviews151 Google reviews
5+ years in business33 years in business
Employs a Certified Arborist1 ISA Certified Arborist
Austin Begley, Certified Arborist See certificate →
Employs a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification holderNone confirmed
Employs a Board Certified Master ArboristNone confirmed
Certificate of insurance on fileNot posted
Valid WSIB clearanceWSIB clearance confirmed
Matched WSIB account: DEREK'S TREE SERVICE INC. See certificate →
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. Derek's Tree Service and Tandem Tree Service are tied at 5/10 leaves.

More companies serving Markham

4Tandem Tree ServiceDurham Region · 5.0 from 149 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed5/105Gray Matter Forestry ConsultingToronto · 5.0 from 9 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB not confirmed4/106Dougan Ecology (formerly Dougan & Associates)Kitchener-Waterloo-Guelph · 4.8 from 4 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed4/107Timberscapes Tree & Plant ServicesGeorgina · 4.9 from 373 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed4/108Ashley's Tree CareToronto · 4.7 from 163 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed4/10See all 28 companies serving Markham on the map →
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.

Before you cut

Markham’s private tree rules

Permit needed across the city

In Markham you need a City permit to remove or injure any tree on private property with a trunk 20 cm or wider, measured 1.4 m off the ground. This applies even if the tree is dead, dying or dangerous.

Whole city

Permit for trees 20 cm and up

Under Tree Preservation By-law 2023-164, a permit is needed to remove or injure a private tree 20 cm or wider, measured 1.37 m (about 1.4 m) off the ground. Dead, dying and hazard trees still need a permit; hazard trees can get a faster review with photos or an arborist's risk report.

Whole city

Replanting may be required

For healthy trees, the City may require replacement planting or a cash-in-lieu payment as a permit condition. Dead, dying and hazard trees are not charged replacement.

Whole city

Allow up to 45 days

The City reviews applications within 45 days after the processing fee is paid. Pay within 24 hours of getting the bill email or the application may be cancelled.

City-owned trees

Street and park trees are protected at any size

Trees on City land, including boulevards, are protected no matter their size. Do not prune or remove them; ask the City's Forestry Operations to inspect.

All of York Region

Woodlands go to York Region

Woodlands are exempt from Markham's by-law and are regulated by York Region's Forest Conservation By-law 2013-68. Treed areas over 0.2 ha (about half an acre) need a Region permit before cutting.

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.

Size limits, fees, replacement trees and exemptions
Which trees need a permit
20 cm trunk width, measured 1.37 m (about 1.4 m) off the ground
Permit fee
$20.50 non-refundable processing fee per application (effective January 16, 2026). A per-tree permit fee ($203.50 first tree, $102 each additional) is reported by a third-party source but was not confirmed on an official City page.
Replacement trees
Replacement planting and/or cash-in-lieu may be required for trees that are not dead, dying or hazardous (by-law uses an aggregate caliper method).
Common exemptions
  • Trees under 20 cm
  • Woodlands (regulated by York Region instead)
  • Nursery and cultivated orchard trees
  • Trees in indoor courtyards/solariums
  • Pruning done to good arboricultural practice

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 Markham Tree Preservation Unit

905-477-7000Official 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.

Two views of a tree next to a house. On the left a branch touches the roof. On the right the branch has been cut back to a side branch just outside the branch collar so it no longer touches.
Homeowner question

If a tree is rubbing against a house, how far back should it be pruned?

Evergreens typically grow more slowly, so they don't need as much clearance. Most deciduous trees should be pruned back approximately 2 metres (6 to 7 feet) from the house.

We caution against clearing too much from the house side. It can injure the tree and pose a greater risk to your house. For example, if a high branch breaks, there is no lower branch for it to get caught on.

Tree services near Markham

Richmond HillVaughanAuroraPickeringTorontoNewmarket

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.