Overview: Tree Removal & Stump Grinding Services
This category covers taking a tree down and grinding out the stump. Maybe an ice storm split the trunk, roots are heaving the interlock, emerald ash borer finished off the ash, or the tree stands right where the garage addition is going.
On an open lot, a tree can come down in one piece. In a tight backyard, a climber takes it apart from the top and lowers sections on ropes, or a crane lifts them over the house. Walk the yard with the crew first. Agree where the wood lands, how the truck gets in, and who pays if the fence or the deck takes a hit.
Rules come from every level of government. Many cities require a permit before a protected tree comes down. Federal rules protect a migratory bird nest that holds a live bird or a viable egg, so spring and summer jobs need a look up the trunk first. The CFIA also restricts moving ash wood and firewood out of areas regulated for emerald ash borer.
Our listings show what each removal company states on its own website. Use the province and city lists to find crews that take trees down in your area.
What tree removal and stump grinding cost in Canada
Removal, hauling and stump grinding are separate tasks. Tree condition, nearby structures and access can outweigh tree height alone.
| Service | Estimated budget | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Small accessible tree removal | C$350–C$700per tree | One small tree under about 20 ft high with clear access and no nearby structures or wires.What this estimate coversIncludes in this budget: Ordinary felling/sectioning and on-site cutting/cleanup Budget separately or confirm: Stump grinding, permits and specialist rigging; Wood/chip haul-off unless itemized |
| Medium tree removal | C$700–C$1,500per tree | One tree about 20–40 ft high with ordinary access; rigging requirements must be confirmed.What this estimate coversIncludes in this budget: Ordinary dismantling, cutting and on-site cleanup Budget separately or confirm: Stump, permit fees, crane work and emergency response; Wood/chip haul-off unless itemized |
| Large or constrained tree removal | Quote requiredper assessed tree | Near structures, difficult access, unstable condition or lifting equipment required.Height, instability, proximity to buildings or wires and crane access determine the removal plan. Send photos and request a written disposal and permit scope.What this estimate coversIncludes in this budget: Specified removal operation Budget separately or confirm: Unlisted crane or traffic arrangements; Permit or report fees |
| Stump grinding | C$200–C$400per stump | One accessible stump about 12–24 in across, ground roughly 6 in below grade.What this estimate coversIncludes in this budget: Grinding and ordinary on-site cleanup Budget separately or confirm: Chip haul-off, root-ball excavation, imported soil and lawn restoration |
| Remove grindings and restore ground | Quote requiredper defined restoration | Specify disposal, soil volume and finish after grinding.Price chip removal, topsoil and sod or seed separately. Ask how the soil allowance changes if the ground settles later.What this estimate coversIncludes in this budget: Agreed debris removal and soil placement Budget separately or confirm: New tree planting; Unlisted roots |
What changes the price
- tree height, diameter, structural condition and nearby targets
- truck, chipper or crane access and utility coordination
- hauling, stump depth, permits and restoration scope
Ask before accepting a quote
- Does the quote include wood removal, stump grinding and cleanup?
- What stump depth and treatment of grindings are included?
- Who obtains any tree authorization, report and utility coordination, and at what cost?
Define what remains on site
- leaving logs, removing wood and removing the stump produce different totals
- grinding a stump does not normally mean excavating the complete root system
Canadian context
Municipal tree-protection rules can affect removal and replacement planting; confirm the rules for the actual property.
Budget estimates in Canadian dollars. Confirm applicable taxes and the final total in your quote. Rows may be alternatives or parts of the same job. Add only extras that are not already included in your quote.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know a tree has to come down?
Clear signs are a dead crown, a trunk split by ice, fungus at the base, a lean that changed recently, or soil heaving on one side. An ash with a thinning crown and D-shaped exit holes in the bark likely has emerald ash borer, which the CFIA lists as tell-tale signs. When the call is close, pay for an opinion from an arborist who isn't bidding on the removal.
When is the wrong time to take a tree down?
When birds are nesting in it. Canada's migratory bird rules protect a nest that holds a live bird or viable egg, and some nests, like a pileated woodpecker's, stay protected even when empty until they're considered abandoned. Environment and Climate Change Canada publishes regional nesting calendars. Booking the removal outside nesting season is the simple fix, and crews are often less busy then.
What insurance should I see before work starts?
Ask for a liability certificate sent straight from the insurance broker, not a photo on somebody's phone. Then check workplace coverage. In Ontario, anyone can look up a contractor's WSIB clearance online for free. In British Columbia, WorkSafeBC issues free clearance letters, and it warns that homeowners can be liable for a contractor's unpaid premiums. Make sure both documents are valid on the day of the job.
Do I need permission to remove a tree?
Often, yes. Toronto needs a permit to remove a private tree above a set trunk diameter, and trees in regulated ravine areas are protected too. Ontario's Forestry Act adds a rule for a trunk on the property line: both neighbours own that tree, and cutting it down or harming it without consent is an offence. Get your neighbour's agreement in writing on top of any permit, and read the permit's replanting conditions.
What is left after the stump is ground?
Chips and soil fill the hole, and the pile sinks as the wood rots. Grinding cuts below the surface, so we'd get the utility locates done first. In Ontario, requesting them through Ontario One Call is free and required before digging. Private lines, like irrigation or a buried cable to the garage, aren't the utilities' job to mark. Top the settled spot with topsoil before you seed.
What happens to the wood from an ash tree?
It can't go just anywhere. The CFIA restricts moving ash logs, branches and chips, and firewood of any species, out of areas regulated for emerald ash borer. Moving wood within a regulated area is generally fine. Ask the crew where the wood and chips end up, and resist the urge to haul ash firewood to the cottage. The CFIA's regulated area map shows where your property falls.
