ArborProof

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Welland, Ontario · Updated September 2026

Best Tree Services in Welland

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

15companies serve Welland
8with WSIB clearance confirmed
3.1average leaves here

Welland’s top 3 by LEAF Score

1

Driftwood Tree Service

Serves Welland, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Port Colborne and Fort Erie and more

5.0 · 190 Google reviewsWSIB clearance confirmed · to Nov 19, 2026
Verified by BusinessThe business confirmed these details on October 28, 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
Confirmed by the businessNot listed by the business
Visit websiteFull profile →
6/10LEAF Score

Score breakdown

50+ Google reviews190 Google reviews
5+ years in business7 years in business
Employs a Certified ArboristNone confirmed
Employs a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification holderNone confirmed
Employs a Board Certified Master ArboristNone confirmed
Certificate of insurance on fileValid until July 12, 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: MARCUS MICHAUD / DRIFTWOOD TREE SERVICE
Transparent pricingNot posted
Verified their own listingConfirmed by the business
Founded in CanadaFounded in Canada

The ISA directory is opt-in, so a company may have certified arborists we can't see. Ask.

2

Safe Tree Ltd.

Serves Welland, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Port Colborne and Stoney Creek and more

5.0 · 369 Google reviewsWSIB clearance not confirmed
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 reviews369 Google reviews
5+ years in business7 years in business
Employs a Certified Arborist1 ISA Certified Arborist
Zach Gilligan, Certified Arborist See certificate →
Employs a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification holder2 with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
Ivan Fredette, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification See certificate →
Dylan Prior, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification See certificate →
Employs a Board Certified Master ArboristNone confirmed
Certificate of insurance on fileNot posted
Valid WSIB clearanceNo WSIB account found under this business name
Transparent pricingNot posted
Verified their own listingNot yet confirmed
Founded in CanadaFounded in Canada
3

Shorthills Tree Service

Serves Welland, Fonthill and Pelham

4.9 · 77 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 reviews77 Google reviews
5+ years in business25 years in business
Employs a Certified Arborist1 ISA Certified Arborist
Brian Alkemade, 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: 2187989 ONTARIO INC. / SHORTHILLS 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. Shorthills Tree Service and Buchanan Expert Tree Care are tied at 5/10 leaves.

More companies serving Welland

4Buchanan Expert Tree CareNiagara · 4.0 from 10 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed5/105Beaver Tree ServiceNiagara · 4.9 from 131 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed4/106Tip Top Tree ServiceNiagara · 4.9 from 56 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed4/107Hartwick Tree & WoodNiagara · 5.0 from 38 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed3/108Davey Tree Care Services (Niagara office)Niagara · 4.7 from 102 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed3/10See all 15 companies serving Welland on the map →
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 cut

Welland’s private tree rules

No permit needed for private trees

Welland does not require a permit to remove a tree on your own property. You may not prune or remove City-owned boulevard trees, and woodlands of 1 hectare or more are protected by Niagara Region.

Private property

No private tree permit

The City says residents can remove trees on their own property without City approval. The City will update its page if this changes.

City-owned trees

Leave boulevard trees to the City

You may not prune or alter a City-owned tree unless the forestry supervisor approves it. City trees are usually within 2 m of the curb or 1.5 m from the sidewalk. Call Parks and Forestry to request pruning, removal or a new boulevard tree.

All of Niagara Region

Woodlands 1 hectare and larger

Niagara Region's Woodland Conservation By-law 2020-79 covers woodlands of 1 hectare or more. Most cutting needs a Good Forestry Practices permit, with exemptions for dead or hazardous trees and some personal use.

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
Common exemptions
  • Regional woodland by-law exempts dead/diseased/hazardous trees, personal use meeting set criteria, building-permit work, farm practices and others.

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 Welland Parks and Forestry

905-735-1700 ext. 3000Official 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.

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 Welland

Niagara FallsSt. CatharinesBurlingtonHamiltonOakvilleMississauga

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.