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Waterloo, Ontario · Updated September 2026

Best Tree Services in Waterloo

The three highest-scoring tree companies that serve Waterloo, 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 Waterloo
14with WSIB clearance confirmed
3.1average leaves here

Waterloo’s top 3 by LEAF Score

1

Baum Professional Tree Care

Serves Waterloo, Cambridge, Kitchener, Fergus and Guelph and more

5.0 · 159 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 reviews159 Google reviews
5+ years in business15 years in business
Employs a Certified Arborist3 ISA Certified Arborists
Philip Guenter, Certified Arborist See certificate →
Cameron Drimmie, Certified Arborist See certificate →
Cory Graham MacMillan, Certified Arborist See certificate →
Employs a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification holder2 with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
Philip Guenter, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification See certificate →
Cameron Drimmie, 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: BAUM PROFESSIONAL TREE CARE INC. See certificate →
Transparent pricingNot posted
Verified their own listingNot yet confirmed
Founded in CanadaFounded in Canada
2

Royal City Tree Care

Serves Waterloo, Cambridge, Kitchener, Puslinch and Guelph

4.9 · 207 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 reviews207 Google reviews
5+ years in business9 years in business
Employs a Certified Arborist1 ISA Certified Arborist
Karen Harris, Certified Arborist See certificate →
Employs a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification holder1 with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
Karen Harris, 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: ROYAL CITY TREE CARE INC. See certificate →
Transparent pricingNot posted
Verified their own listingNot yet confirmed
Founded in CanadaFounded in Canada
3

Capella Tree Service

Serves Waterloo, Cambridge, Kitchener and Guelph

4.8 · 115 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 reviews115 Google reviews
5+ years in business11 years in business
Employs a Certified Arborist1 ISA Certified Arborist
Philip M. Whetstone, Certified Arborist, ON-1121A 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: CAPELLA TREE SERVICE INC. / CAPELLA 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 Waterloo

4AllGreen Tree ServiceKitchener-Waterloo-Guelph · 5.0 from 15 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed4/105Full Circle Tree CareKitchener-Waterloo-Guelph · 5.0 from 9 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed4/106JL's Tree ServiceKitchener-Waterloo-Guelph · 5.0 from 381 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed4/107Martin's Tree Service Inc.Kitchener-Waterloo-Guelph · 5.0 from 299 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed4/108Maple Hill Tree ServicesKitchener-Waterloo-Guelph · 4.6 from 96 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed4/10See all 28 companies serving Waterloo 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

Waterloo’s private tree rules

No permit needed for private trees

The City of Waterloo does not require a permit to remove a tree on private property. City-owned trees are protected, and large woodlands fall under a Region of Waterloo by-law.

Whole city

No private tree permit

Waterloo's tree by-law (2014-078) covers only trees on City property. No City by-law regulates trees on private lots.

City boulevard and park trees

City trees are protected

You may not cut, damage, dig near, or attach things to a City tree. Fines for individuals run from $250 to $25,000 for a first offence.

All of Waterloo Region

Woodlands 1 hectare and larger

The Region of Waterloo Woodland Conservation By-law needs a permit before cutting in woodlands of 1 hectare (2.5 acres) or more. Call the Regional Forester if your land is wooded.

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.

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 Waterloo Municipal Enforcement

519-747-8785Official 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 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 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. 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.

Tree services near Waterloo

KitchenerCambridgeGuelphBrantfordMiltonHalton Hills

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.