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Whitby, Ontario · Updated September 2026

Best Tree Services in Whitby

The three highest-scoring tree companies that serve Whitby, 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 Whitby
9with WSIB clearance confirmed
3.2average leaves here

Whitby’s top 3 by LEAF Score

1

Brooklin Tree Care Inc.

Serves Whitby, Brooklin, Oshawa, Ajax and Pickering and more

5.0 · 148 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 reviews148 Google reviews
5+ years in business7 years in business
Employs a Certified Arborist2 ISA Certified Arborists
Eric Batty, Certified Arborist See certificate →
Mark Batty, 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: BROOKLIN TREE CARE INC. See certificate →
Transparent pricingNot posted
Verified their own listingNot yet confirmed
Founded in CanadaFounded in Canada
2

Tandem Tree Service

Serves Whitby, Pickering, Ajax, Oshawa and Courtice and more

5.0 · 149 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 reviews149 Google reviews
5+ years in business10 years in business
Employs a Certified Arborist1 ISA Certified Arborist
Luke O'Brien, 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: NOAH PERRY AND LUKE O'BRIEN / TANDEM TREE SERVICE See certificate →
Transparent pricingNot posted
Verified their own listingNot yet confirmed
Founded in CanadaFounded in Canada
3

Virgin Tree Care

Serves Whitby, Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering and Durham Region and more

4.9 · 78 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 →
4/10LEAF Score

Score breakdown

50+ Google reviews78 Google reviews
5+ years in business1 years in business
Employs a Certified Arborist1 ISA Certified Arborist
Craig D. Virgin, Certified Arborist See certificate →
Employs a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification holder1 with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
Craig D. Virgin, 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

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. Virgin Tree Care and Skylark Tree Care are tied at 4/10 leaves.

More companies serving Whitby

4Skylark Tree CareDurham Region · 5.0 from 436 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed4/105CE Tree ServicesDurham Region · 5.0 from 96 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed4/106Royal Tree Service OshawaDurham Region · 5.0 from 193 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB not confirmed3/107Evans Tree WorkDurham Region · 4.9 from 112 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB not confirmed3/108Davey Tree Care Services (East Toronto office)Durham Region · 4.7 from 80 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed3/10See all 15 companies serving Whitby 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

Whitby’s private tree rules

Permit needed in some areas or cases

Most regular house lots in Whitby do not need a permit to remove a tree. A permit is needed in woodlots, natural or hazard-land zones, heritage districts, and on residential properties of about 5 acres (2.02 ha) or more.

Mapped areas only

Where a permit is needed

Tree Protection By-law 4640-00 applies to woodlots of 0.2 ha or more, Major Open Space, Hazard Land and environmental protection lands, mature woodlands and sensitive areas, heritage districts, and trees in approved tree preservation plans.

Large lots

Residential lots 2.02 ha and up

Residential properties of 2.02 ha (about 5 acres) or more in the zones listed in the by-law also need a permit.

Standard lots

Typical yards are exempt

If the wooded area on your lot is under 0.2 ha, you are outside a heritage district, and there is no approved tree preservation plan, no permit is needed.

Town-owned trees

Street and park trees are protected

Under the Clean Community By-law, no one may injure or remove trees on Town property, including street and park trees. Driveway widening or planting on the boulevard needs Town approval.

All of Durham Region

Woodlands 1 ha and larger

Durham Region's Woodland By-law 30-2020 requires a Region permit to cut in woodlands of 1 ha (2.5 acres) or more.

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
Replacement trees
Permit conditions may set the species, size, number and location of replacement trees and a planting deadline.
Common exemptions
  • Wooded areas under 0.2 ha outside heritage districts
  • Dead, diseased or hazardous trees certified by a person approved by the Director
  • Storm or disaster damage
  • Up to 20 trees a year for the owner's personal use
  • Orchards and tree farms
  • Trees needed for authorized building construction

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.

Town of Whitby

905-430-4300Official 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. 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 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 Whitby

OshawaAjaxPickeringClaringtonMarkhamRichmond Hill

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.