Amelie CameronA storm really did a number on my place, but the hardest part was seeing the old oak tree out front take the hit. It’s been there since my older sister was born, so it felt like part of the family.
After the winds, it looked ready to fall, so I called an arborist right away. They told me it couldn’t be saved and had to come down. It wasn’t easy to lose it, but I was glad they showed up fast and made sure no more damage was done.
Going through that made me realize how important it is to have good people you can call, so I’ve put together a list of the best arborists in Toronto to help you look after your own trees and property.
How much does an arborist cost in Toronto?
Arborist costs in Toronto can vary quite a bit depending on the service, the size of the tree, and how tricky the job is. On average, it costs $2,000 for tree removal, $1,600 for stump grinding, and around $625 for tree pruning.
How We Chose
1. Heritage Tree Care Inc.
Services offered: Tree pruning, fine pruning, removals, hedge trimming, planting, cabling and bracing, root zone care, and more
Address: 434 Runnymede Rd
Phone number: +1 416-458-4745
Business hours: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (MON-FRI)
Since it was a big decision for me to have our beloved tree removed, I chose Heritage Tree Care Inc. They’ve been around since 2006 and are one of the few in the region with an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist on staff, which gave me confidence in their recommendations.
I appreciated that they’re available around the clock for emergencies. They came to my place quickly after I explained the situation and, after some discussion, removed the tree within a few hours.
I also booked them for deep root fertilization for our younger oak tree. I’m hoping this helps it grow into a strong and healthy tree like the one we lost.
Even with my positive experience, I was disappointed to hear from others that appointments are sometimes cancelled at the last minute and that enquiries aren’t always answered.
They were fast, neat, and cleaned up extremely well once they were done
“Heritage Tree Care was called to prune our neighbour’s tree that overhung our backyard. They arrived promptly and notified us when they were starting the work, at which point I asked them about an additional branch that was outside their original scope of work. We offered to cover any additional costs, but they reviewed the work and took care of the additional branch no problem. They were fast, neat, and cleaned up extremely well once they were done.”
-Scott Whitty, Google Reviews
I have nothing but good words for them
“Joseph and his team are simply amazing and I have nothing but good words for them. We had a boundary dying tree and his team came to help deal with it and take it down. Afterwards, they clean up and are super efficient. If you need to trim or take down a tree, we highly recommend their service!”
-Shaun Hsu, Google Reviews
2. Tree Doctors Inc.
Services offered: Tree removal, pruning, stump grinding, planting, arborist reports, mosquito and tick treatments, and more
Address: 343 Olivewood Rd, Etobicoke
Phone number: +1 416-201-8000
Business hours: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (MON-FRI)
Tree Doctors Inc. was founded in 2002 and is a solid choice if you’re looking for a wide range of tree care services. From what I’ve seen, they’re not just about cutting trees down.
They take on pruning, stump grinding, planting, and even providing arborist reports if you need paperwork for the city.
What stands out is that they also offer mosquito and tick treatments, using low-toxicity pesticides to stop your yard from becoming a breeding ground for pests.
They handle storm restorations too, using cabling and bracing to save trees when possible, and they provide full emergency removals if a tree is leaning dangerously.
They even deliver mulch and wood chips, recycling material from their work, so you can use it to fertilize your garden.
On the downside, some people I spoke with said Tree Doctors missed appointments and occasionally left sites messy after finishing.
The trusted team at Tree Doctors were awesome
“The trusted team at Tree Doctors were awesome. Courteous and professional, they did a great job trimming our large black walnut tree. They cleared the branches near overhead wires which was a huge concern. They also did an amazing clean up afterwards of all the debris that fell to the ground. Cost quote was reasonable.We highly recommend them.”
-Paula Tsakiris, Google Reviews
We couldn’t be happier with their service!
“We recently hired Tree Doctors for the cutting and stump removal of a large Blue Spruce in our yard, and we couldn’t be happier with their service! The team was incredibly professional, arriving on time and leaving the area spotless after the job. The entire process was clean, organized, and efficient. We are extremely satisfied with their work and highly recommend them to anyone in need of tree services. Excellent job!”
-Vahid Ghasemi, Google Reviews
3. The Real Tree Masters
Services offered: Tree removal, pruning, stump grinding, planting, disease prevention treatments, integrated vegetation management, and more
Address: 2967 Dundas St W #1506
Phone number: +1 416-272-3534
Business hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (MON-FRI)
Since tree care can be costly, it’s good that companies like The Real Tree Masters can ease the pressure on your wallet. Founded in 2014, they offer financing that lets you pay off your bill in smaller installments over time.
They provide a wide range of services along with some unique ones. What really caught my eye is their focus on tree disease prevention. Their arborists use a mix of trunk injections, soil applications, and foliar sprays to protect trees from common diseases and pests.
For larger properties, they also provide integrated vegetation management, which helps trees grow safely away from utility lines and infrastructure. Like many competitors, they also handle emergency tree services.
Unfortunately, their coverage mainly focuses on central and western parts of the GTA, leaving out areas like Oshawa and Hamilton. They’re also selective with jobs and may occasionally refuse service.
Was priced well and finished the job in a timely manner
“Definitely would call again. The office got back to me quickly even when no other company got back to me. The crew was fantastic and made sure we were happy with the tree before leaving (I had 1 tree pruned and 1 dead tree removed). They even helped out my neighbour out of kindness. Was priced well and finished the job in a timely manner.”
-Jasmine Jhuman, Google Reviews
My experience with them was exceptional
“I recently hired The Real Tree Masters Inc. for various tree care services, including pruning, trimming, removing dead branches, flowers, and shaping. From start to finish, my experience with them was exceptional. After requesting an estimate, their field manager promptly visited and provided a fair and detailed quote. The execution team then completed the project efficiently. The quality of their work was outstanding and exceeded my expectations. Both their field manager and the execution team were professional, helpful, and very nice. I highly recommend The Real Tree Masters Inc. for their excellent service and fair pricing.”
-Gulgun Akdag, Google Reviews
4. Proforestree
Services offered: Tree removals, pruning, planting, managed forest tax incentive planning, seasoned firewood delivery, and more
Address: 243 Lee Ave
Phone number: +1 416-427-0595
Business hours:
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (MON-FRI)
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (SAT and SUN)
Proforestree is a tree and forest management company that began in 2018. They’re run by a Registered Professional Forester and work with ISA-certified arborists, which already puts them a step above the average crew.
Most of their work is in the east end, especially the Beaches and Leslieville, where they handle removals, pruning, and planting.
They also assist with the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Plan, which can save landowners a significant amount if they have larger forested properties.
On top of that, they set up tree protection zones for construction and offer landscaping services. They even supply seasoned firewood, which can be handy once winter rolls in.
However, since their focus is on the eastern GTA, they’re unavailable to those in the west. They also don’t provide round-the-clock emergency service, though they’re open daily.
Did a great job with a reasonable price
“Joel replied to my message quickly and arranged the same day visit to quote for the pruning. Joel and his team did a great job with a reasonable price. They cleaned up a bunch of the wastes after pruning, and made the laneway and backyard neater than before. Will definitely recommend their service!”
-Daniel Liu, Google Reviews
Hire this team, you won’t regret it
“Hire this team, you won’t regret it. Joel was great and responsive. When Malcolm and his team came for the job—they arrived prepared and knowledgeable and above all—were so kind and had the best attitude. They did a great job trimming hedges, a monster overgrown tree, and cutting down 2 dead trees off the deck. You can trust their work and recommendations.”
-Victoria Della Chiara, Google Reviews
5. Tree Arborists
Services offered: Tree removal, pruning, stump grinding, planting, arborist reports, consulting, and more
Address: 18 Doctors Ln #374, King City
Phone number: +1 647-533-1212
Business hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM (MON-SUN)
Tree Arborists have been working in Toronto for more than 30 years, and it shows in the way they handle their jobs. I was surprised by how many services they actually cover.
They take care of pruning, stump grinding, hedge trimming, and planting. They also run a 24-hour emergency service that comes in handy when storms cause damage.
Furthermore, their arborists can prepare detailed tree protection plans to keep your trees healthy for the long run.
One thing I appreciate is their price beat guarantee. If you get a written quote from another licensed company, they’ll beat it. They also provide free quotes, so you’re not tied down before making a decision.
That said, they’re based in King City, which means longer travel times for Toronto jobs. They also book up quickly, especially outside of emergencies.
My experience was extremely positive and satisfactory
“From the moment I made a call to the completion of the job, my experience was extremely positive and satisfactory. Joe and his team arrived as scheduled, within one week of agreeing to the work, they were professional, results were beyond my expectation, even swept the ground and left my property looking beautiful. Highly recommend them. Honest and respectful team of tree arborists with a knack for professional results.”
-Kathy, Google Reviews
It’s rare to find such a well-run operation
“I had a fantastic experience with the team at Tree Arborists! From start to finish, Joe was professional, responsive, and a man of his word—something I truly appreciate. He kept me informed every step of the way when removing 3 trees in my backyard and ensured everything went smoothly when stump grinding. His crew was equally impressive: skilled, hardworking, efficient, and respectful of the property. They worked quickly and left the site clean and tidy. It’s rare to find such a well-run operation, and I’ll absolutely be recommending Joe and his team to anyone looking for top-quality arborist services. Great work!”
-Francine Cavalcante, Google Reviews
