Tree Removal Cost in Toronto: Permits, Prices & When You Need One

Tree removal cost in Toronto by tree size

The single biggest price driver is size — specifically height and trunk diameter, which determine how much cutting, climbing, and rigging is needed. Location matters too: a tree over a house, fence, or power line costs far more than one in an open yard. Here’s what GTA homeowners typically pay in 2026:

• Small tree (up to 30 ft — e.g. small maple, dogwood): $400–$800
• Medium tree (30–60 ft — e.g. mature birch): $800–$1,500
• Large tree (60–80 ft — e.g. oak, spruce): $1,500–$2,500
• Extra-large tree (80 ft+ — mature evergreen, large hardwood): $2,500–$4,000+
• Difficult access or over structures: add 25–50%

Toronto tree removal permits & the private-tree bylaw

This is the step most homeowners miss. Under the City of Toronto’s Private Tree Bylaw, you need a permit to remove or injure any tree on private property with a trunk diameter of 30 cm (about 12 inches) or more, measured at 1.4 m above the ground. Removing a protected tree without a permit can lead to significant fines.

The permit process involves an application, a fee, and often a requirement to plant replacement trees. A reputable arborist will assess whether your tree is regulated and can usually handle the permit application on your behalf — factor a few weeks into your timeline, as approval isn’t instant. Dead, dying, or hazardous trees may qualify for expedited removal.

• Permit required for trunks 30 cm diameter or larger
• Application fee plus possible replanting conditions
• Fines apply for illegal removal of protected trees
• Arborists can file the permit application for you
• Hazardous/dead trees may qualify for faster approval

Emergency and storm-damage tree removal costs

Toronto’s ice storms, summer thunderstorms, and high winds bring down trees and limbs every year. Emergency removal — a tree on your roof, blocking a driveway, or leaning dangerously — costs more than a planned job because of the after-hours response, added risk, and specialized equipment like cranes.

Expect emergency call-outs to run 25–100% above standard rates, often $1,000–$5,000+ depending on severity and access. If a tree has hit your home, document the damage first — your home insurance may cover removal and repairs.

Stump grinding add-on pricing

Tree removal quotes usually stop at the trunk — the stump is often priced separately. Grinding the stump below grade is the most common option and is far cheaper when booked at the same time as removal rather than as a return visit. Typical stump grinding runs $100–$400 per stump depending on diameter and root spread. Learn more on our stump grinding and tree removal service page and ask for it to be bundled into your quote.

• Small stump: $100–$200
• Medium stump: $200–$300
• Large stump: $300–$400+
• Bundling with removal saves a separate call-out fee

How to choose an insured GTA arborist

Tree work is genuinely dangerous, and a mistake can damage your home or injure someone — so credentials and insurance matter more than price. Always compare at least three local quotes with the same scope, and confirm each company carries liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage.

• Get 3+ written quotes covering the same work
• Verify liability insurance and WSIB coverage
• Ask if they’re ISA Certified Arborists
• Confirm cleanup, chipping, and disposal are included
• Check they’ll handle any required city permit