ArborProof

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Peterborough, Ontario · Updated September 2026

Best Tree Services in Peterborough

The three highest-scoring tree companies that serve Peterborough, 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 Peterborough
16with WSIB clearance confirmed
3.3average leaves here

Peterborough’s top 3 by LEAF Score

1

Treescape Certified Arborists (Treescape Tree Care Professionals Limited)

Serves Peterborough, Ennismore, Lakefield, Buckhorn and Lindsay 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 Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Fenelon Falls, Bobcaygeon and Lindsay and more

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

Van Till Tree Care & Removal

Serves Peterborough, Lakefield, Bancroft, Buckhorn and Marmora

4.9 · 95 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 reviews95 Google reviews
5+ years in business10 years in business
Employs a Certified Arborist1 ISA Certified Arborist
Shane M. Vanden Tillaart, Certified Arborist See certificate →
Employs a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification holder1 with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
Shane M. Vanden Tillaart, 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: VAN TILL TREE CARE 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. Van Till Tree Care & Removal and P & A Urban Forestry Consulting Ltd. are tied at 6/10 leaves.

More companies serving Peterborough

4P & A Urban Forestry Consulting Ltd.Richmond Hill · 4.9 from 10 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed6/105Lakeview Tree CareCentral Ontario/Cottage Country · 5.0 from 9 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed5/106Ethic Tree CreationsPeterborough · 3.8 from 10 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed4/107Top Tier TreesCentral Ontario/Cottage Country · 5.0 from 25 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB not confirmed3/108Elevated ArboricultureCentral Ontario/Cottage Country · 4.7 from 15 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed3/10See all 23 companies serving Peterborough on the map →
A year strip of months. Late summer to early fall is the best time to plant, spring is acceptable with a little more risk, and midsummer planting is the greatest risk because the tree may not be watered.
Homeowner question

When is the best time to plant a tree?

The goal is usually to give the tree as much time to establish as possible before summer drought. Therefore, late summer to early fall is the best time of year. Spring is acceptable as well; it just carries a little more risk. Summer planting is the greatest risk to the tree, in part because many Ontarians vacation and the tree may not get watered while they are away.

Before you cut

Peterborough’s private tree rules

Permit needed across the city

Anywhere in Peterborough, you need a City permit before removing a private tree at least 7.5 cm wide, measured 1.4 m off the ground, and 4.5 m tall. Healthy trees 15 cm and up also carry a permit fee and must be replaced.

Whole city

Permit for nearly all trees

A tree is covered if it is at least 4.5 m tall and 7.5 cm wide, measured 1.4 m off the ground. Apply online before cutting; permits last 90 days.

Whole city

Dead or dying trees still need a permit

You still apply for dead or dying trees, but only the application fee is charged.

Whole city

Licensed tree companies can issue permits

A Licensed Tree Service Provider can submit the application for you at a lower permit fee.

Whole city

City-owned and boulevard trees

Street and park trees belong to the City and cannot be removed by residents. Contact Public Works for concerns.

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
7.5 cm measured 1.4 m off the ground and at least 4.5 m tall
Permit fee
Application fee $15 (0-5 trees) or $150 (6+ trees); permit fee for healthy trees 15 cm and up: $50 if filed by a Licensed Tree Service Provider, $150 if filed by the owner (City page, current as of 2026; year of fee schedule not stated)
Replacement trees
One replacement tree (at least 2 cm wide) for each tree removed, planted on the property, or a $550 per-tree replacement fee.
Common exemptions
  • City work and utility line clearing
  • Trees removed under approved planning conditions
  • Licensed surveyors, aggregate pits, nurseries and orchards
  • Work required by a property standards order

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 Peterborough Urban Forestry / Service Centre

705-742-7777 (toll-free 1-855-738-3755)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 Peterborough

Kawartha LakesClaringtonOshawaWhitbyAjaxBelleville

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.