ArborProof

Fact-checking tree companies.

Ottawa, Ontario · Updated September 2026

Best Tree Services in Ottawa

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

40companies serve Ottawa
20with WSIB clearance confirmed
3.4average leaves here

Ottawa’s top 3 by LEAF Score

1

Arboris Inc.

Serves Ottawa, Casselman, Prescott and Russell

4.9 · 88 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 reviews88 Google reviews
5+ years in business15 years in business
Employs a Certified Arborist4 ISA Certified Arborists (including Board Certified Master Arborists)
Paul-André Cayouette, Certified Arborist, ON-2609A See certificate →
David René Labonté, Certified Arborist, ON-2443A See certificate →
Greer Dean, Certified Arborist, ON-260498A See certificate →
Employs a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification holder3 with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
Paul-André Cayouette, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification See certificate →
Simon-Pierre Desjarlais, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification See certificate →
David René Labonté, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification See certificate →
Employs a Board Certified Master Arborist1 Board Certified Master Arborist
Simon-Pierre Desjarlais, Board Certified Master Arborist, ON-1615B See certificate →
Certificate of insurance on fileNot posted
Valid WSIB clearanceWSIB clearance confirmed
Matched WSIB account: ARBORIS INC. See certificate →
Transparent pricingNot posted
Verified their own listingNot yet confirmed
Founded in CanadaFounded in Canada
2

Eastern Ontario Arborists Inc.

Serves Ottawa, Embrun and Russell

5.0 · 51 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 reviews51 Google reviews
5+ years in business15 years in business
Employs a Certified Arborist2 ISA Certified Arborists
David R. Buttivant, Certified Arborist See certificate →
Joel Boisvert, Certified Arborist See certificate →
Employs a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification holder1 with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
David R. Buttivant, 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: EASTERN ONTARIO ARBORISTS INC See certificate →
Transparent pricingNot posted
Verified their own listingNot yet confirmed
Founded in CanadaFounded in Canada
3

Wright Tree Service

Serves Ottawa

4.8 · 707 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 reviews707 Google reviews
5+ years in business11 years in business
Employs a Certified Arborist1 ISA Certified Arborist
Steven T. Chapman, Certified Arborist See certificate →
Employs a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification holder1 with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
Steven T. Chapman, 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: 2672615 ONTARIO INC. / WRIGHT TREE SERVICE 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.

More companies serving Ottawa

4Croft Tree ExpertsOttawa · 4.9 from 826 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed5/105Arboplus (Ottawa)Ottawa · 4.9 from 755 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB not confirmed5/106Tim-O-TreeOttawa · 4.9 from 162 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB not confirmed5/107OC Tree Care Inc.Ottawa · 5.0 from 113 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed5/108VS Tree ServicesOttawa · 4.9 from 113 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed5/10See all 40 companies serving Ottawa 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

Ottawa’s private tree rules

Permit needed in some areas or cases

Inside Ottawa's urban area, you need a City permit to remove a private tree 30 cm or wider, measured 1.4 m off the ground, if your lot is 1 hectare or smaller. Private trees in the rural area are generally not covered, but City-owned trees are protected everywhere.

Urban area, lots 1 ha or smaller

Permit for 'distinctive' trees 30 cm and up

A tree 30 cm or wider, measured 1.4 m off the ground, needs a permit before removal. Since February 1, 2024 the same 30 cm rule applies both inside and outside the Greenbelt (suburbs used to be 50 cm).

Urban area, lots over 1 ha or with a development application

Trees 10 cm and up are covered

On larger urban lots, or where a Planning Act application is involved, trees 10 cm and wider are regulated and a tree report is usually required.

Rural area

Private trees generally not regulated

The by-law's private-tree rules apply to the urban area (and mapped urban expansion areas). Rural homeowners do not need a permit for their own trees, but City trees are still protected.

Whole city

City-owned and boulevard trees

Any tree on City property, of any size, is protected. You need City permission to remove or damage one, and a minimum compensation of $400 per tree applies.

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
30 cm measured 1.4 m off the ground (urban lots 1 ha or smaller); 10 cm on urban lots over 1 ha or with development applications
Permit fee
$174 per tree, capped at five trees ($870), for removals not tied to development; $870 per tree, capped at $4,350, for infill development (Schedule D, in effect since Feb 1, 2024)
Replacement trees
Plant 1 new tree for each distinctive tree removed (no development). Infill development: 2 trees for each 30-49 cm tree, 3 trees for each tree 50 cm or larger. City trees: minimum $400 compensation per tree.
Common exemptions
  • Pruning done to good arboricultural practice
  • Tree confirmed dead by an arborist
  • Tree that is an immediate threat to public health and safety
  • Normal farm practices by a farming business
  • Ash trees infested with emerald ash borer (per councillor summary)
What’s changing

Rules under review

An April 2026 Environment and Climate Change Committee meeting (April 21, 2026) included a Tree Protection By-law document and a councillor motion on removal of municipal trees; the content and outcome could not be retrieved. No confirmed changes to private-tree rules in 2025-2026.

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 Ottawa 3-1-1 (Forestry Services)

3-1-1 or 613-580-2400Official 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
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.

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 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.

Tree services near Ottawa

Kingston

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.