Tree pruning: larger trees
Trees taller than a 2.5-storey home (roughly over 9 m / 30 ft)
Climbing or bucket-truck work to trim, thin or reduce a large tree's canopy.
What it is
Large-tree pruning is done by a climber in the tree or from a bucket truck. Common jobs are removing deadwood, raising the lower canopy, thinning to cut wind resistance, and reducing branches that reach over the house.
Heavy limbs over a roof are lowered on ropes. A crew that tops the tree (cuts the main stems back to stubs) is a red flag; topping weakens trees and causes decay.
Signs you might need it
- Large dead limbs, especially over the house, driveway or play area
- Branches resting on or scraping the roof
- Storm damage: split or hanging limbs
- A mature tree that hasn't been pruned in 5–10 years
Good to know
If a large tree has a split trunk or weak joint, pruning is often combined with cabling and bracing. If branches are near power lines, see hydro line clearance first.
Typical cost in Ontario
Before HST. Trees 30–60 ft usually run about $300–$800; trees over 60 ft about $500–$1,800. Big jobs are often quoted as a half-day or full-day crew rate.
What pushes the price up or down
- Height and canopy spread
- Type of work: deadwood removal, crown raising, thinning or reduction
- Limbs over the house or near power lines that need ropes to lower
- Bucket-truck access versus a full climb
- Cleanup and chipping included or not
Ways to spend less
- Ask for a written scope (for example, 'remove deadwood over 5 cm, reduce branches on the house side') so quotes compare the same work
- Have several trees done in one visit
- Book in late winter rather than peak spring, fall or right after a storm
Few Ontario companies publish large-tree pruning prices, and published ranges disagree. Prices are typical ranges gathered from published Ontario price guides and company price pages in September 2026, before 13% HST. They’re a guide, not a quote: your price depends on your tree and your property. Get two or three written quotes, and check whether your city charges a permit fee.
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