ArborProof

Fact-checking tree companies.

Toronto, Ontario · Updated September 2026

Best Tree Services in Toronto

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

77companies serve Toronto
40with WSIB clearance confirmed
3.5average leaves here

Toronto’s top 3 by LEAF Score

1

Cinerea Urban Forestry Services

Serves Toronto, Markham, 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

Brent Hocking Consulting Arborist

Serves Toronto, Mississauga, Burlington, Hamilton and Oakville

5.0 · 5 Google reviewsWSIB clearance confirmed · to Nov 19, 2026
Verified by BusinessThe business confirmed these details on October 29, 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

On-site consultationStarting at $425
Arborist reportsStarting at $650
Tree risk assessmentStarting at $1,000
Confirmed by the businessNot listed by the business
Visit websiteFull profile →
8/10LEAF Score

Score breakdown

10+ Google reviews5 Google reviews
5+ years in businessNo reliable figure found
Employs a Certified Arborist1 ISA Certified Arborist (including Board Certified Master Arborists)
Employs a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification holder1 with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
Brent Hocking, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification See certificate →
Employs a Board Certified Master Arborist1 Board Certified Master Arborist
Brent Hocking, Board Certified Master Arborist, ON-2667B See certificate →
Certificate of insurance on fileValid until September 1, 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: BRENT HOCKING / BRENT HOCKING CONSULTING ARBORIST See certificate →
Transparent pricingPricing posted
Verified their own listingConfirmed by the business
Founded in CanadaFounded in Canada
3

Heritage Tree Care Inc.

Serves Toronto and Mississauga

5.0 · 417 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 reviews417 Google reviews
5+ years in business20 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
Joseph Gillingham, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification See certificate →
Employs a Board Certified Master Arborist1 Board Certified Master Arborist
Joseph Gillingham, Board Certified Master Arborist See certificate →
Certificate of insurance on fileNot posted
Valid WSIB clearanceWSIB clearance confirmed
Matched WSIB account: HERITAGE 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.

More companies serving Toronto

4Shady Lane Expert Tree CareToronto · 4.9 from 569 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed6/105Diamond Tree Care & Consulting IncHalton Hills · 4.8 from 185 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed6/106Any Height Tree ServiceToronto · 5.0 from 115 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed6/107Jared Tomlinson Consulting ArboristToronto · 5.0 from 24 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed6/108P & A Urban Forestry Consulting Ltd.Richmond Hill · 4.9 from 10 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed6/10See all 77 companies serving Toronto 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

Toronto’s private tree rules

Permit needed across the city

In Toronto you need a City permit to cut down or damage a private tree whose trunk is 30 cm or wider, measured 1.4 m off the ground. Every tree on a City street or boulevard is protected at any size, and ravine areas have their own stricter rules.

Whole city

Private trees 30 cm and up need a permit

You need a permit to remove or injure a private tree with a trunk 30 cm or wider, measured 1.4 m off the ground. Since September 1, 2026, a stump 40 cm or wider can be used as proof the tree was protected.

Whole city

Extra protection for very large trees

Since September 1, 2026, healthy trees wider than 61 cm are 'Distinctive Trees'. The City can refuse a permit to remove or injure them.

Ravine and natural feature areas

Ravine lots: trees of any size

If your property is inside a mapped ravine or natural feature area, you need a permit to remove or injure trees there, and to change the grade. Check the City's ravine by-law map before any work.

City streets and boulevards

City trees: hands off

Any work that could harm or remove a City street tree, of any size, needs City permission. Call 311 for pruning or removal requests.

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 (private trees); any size in ravine areas and for City street trees
Permit fee
Private-tree permit fee not shown on the City's website as of Sept 2026 (fees moved to a new schedule on Sept 1, 2026). Ravine permits from Sept 1, 2026: $87.57 per tree (not construction), $262.72 per tree (construction), $183.03/$549.08 per boundary/neighbour tree, $632.51 per grade change application.
Replacement trees
Permits require planting new trees. Cash-in-lieu is $583 per tree if there is no room to replant (a $583 per-tree planting deposit also applies). Minimum replacement size: 50 mm trunk (deciduous) or 1.75–2.5 m tall (evergreen). From Sept 1, 2026, cutting without a permit brings a diameter-based replacement of at least 5 trees per tree removed.
Common exemptions
  • Pruning done to good arborist standards
  • Trees that are 100% dead
  • Trees posing an immediate danger to people or property
  • Trees in rooftop gardens, interior courtyards, solariums or on elevated podiums
What’s changing

Rules under review

In March 2026, City Council supported lowering the private tree size from 30 cm to 20 cm 'in principle'. This is not law yet; staff report back with a plan in 2027 (Council item 2026.IE27.8, adopted March 25–26, 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 Toronto 311 (Urban Forestry); Ravine & Natural Feature Protection office 416-392-2513

311Official 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
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 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.

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.

Tree services near Toronto

MississaugaMarkhamVaughanRichmond HillPickeringBrampton

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.