Trees are an integral part of nature. They help us breathe and maintain different ecosystems. However, sometimes it is necessary to remove an old or dead tree, a damaged tree or a stump that’s becoming a safety hazard. Only a local tree services specialist can tell you whether you need to remove the tree or not. You will have to hire a professional for the job as tree removal should be done securely and safely. It requires heavy equipment and experience to use it. Based on various factors related to your trees such as location and size, the cost for this project will change. You can ask a local tree removal company to provide you with a custom quote. Refer to this cost guide to understand the basics of the tree removing process and factors that impact its cost. This guide is based on 52 verified homeowner reviews in Ottawa.
Tree Removal Costs in Ottawa
| Task | Average Cost\ ¹ | Lowest Reported\ ¹ | Highest Reported\ ¹ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stump Grinding | $925 | $100 | $2,300 |
| Stump Removal | $1,100 | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Tree Removal | $1,566 | $282 | $12,000 |
Costs as of February 2021*
Stump Grinding
- Stump grinders are huge machines that look like a lawnmower and chainsaw have been glued together. This heavy and dangerous machine is used to grind the stump after a tree is removed. It is advised to grind a stump smooth to avoid re-sprouting or extra growth. This isn’t healthy for your tree and adds to your weekly garden maintenance.
- Given the level of danger, the job involves, we recommend you hire professional and experienced stump grinders in Ottawa to do the job. Stump grinding in Ottawa may cost you $925 on average.
Stump Removal
- Stump removal is an extra or additional task related to the tree removal project. Removing stumps requires various equipment and extra time. when you hire a tree remover, make sure you discuss the cost and time for stump removal as well. If you have an old stump that now requires to be removed to make space for a new construction project, you can hire a local stump removal company for that as well.
- A professional company will charge you for stump removal based on the number of stumps to be removed, their size, location, condition of soil and weather. You can ask them to provide a quote on an hourly basis as well as a wholesome price to complete the whole project so you can make an informed decision.
- Stump removal in Ottawa can cost you approximately $1,100.
Tree Removal
- Tree removal can be necessary if a tree is dying, if the area is required for construction, if the tree has become hazardous considering the security and safety of your family or if it needs to be uprooted and planted elsewhere. Before you start gathering the equipment to cut down a tree for any of these reasons, make sure you understand the guidelines given by the City of Ottawa to remove or replicate a tree.
- On January 1, 2021, the City of Ottawa released the Tree-Protection by-laws to ensure the safety and protection of city-owned as well as private trees in urban and rural Ottawa. Based on the type, size and age of the tree, its removal process, permit requirements and penalties differ. We recommend that you read through these by-laws before cutting off a branch to avoid heavy penalties.
- You also have the option to hire a professional company that will help you with the permit application, tree removal and reporting of the tree removal process. They have a better understanding and knowledge of these by-laws. A tree removal project in Ottawa can cost you up to $12,000.
Factors Impacting Tree Removal Costs in Ottawa
Size of the Tree
- When it comes to tree removal, all trees are divided into 4 sizes: small (up to 30 ft), medium (30-60 ft), large (60-80 ft) and huge (80-100 ft or more). Based on the size of the tree, you may require to hire more workers with multiple ladders, cranes and other pieces of equipment.
- While removing these trees, the workers will have to be careful not to harm the surrounding trees, property or the utility lines such as plumbing and electricity. The time to remove a tree will also differ based on its size so if you’re paying on an hourly basis, understand the timeline by talking to your contractor before they set up the ladders.
Type of Tree
- Different tree types require different techniques to remove them. Considering the tree’s canopy, the branch reaches, how lean it is and its overall bloom, a tree remover will come up with a specific plan for its removal. Some trees have stronger trunks whereas some have stronger roots. Based on the type of tree a professional team will use chainsaws, cranes or ropes to cut it down.
Condition of the Tree
- Whether your tree is dead, alive, decaying, infected or fallen, will decide its cost factor. Decaying and infected trees require patience and caution to remove in order to avoid the infection from spreading around. Even a dead or fallen tree can be difficult to cut into or it can break easily, injuring someone. The thickness of the branches and the trunk of your tree, its age and the growth of the roots will be examined by the tree remover before picking up a saw.
Location
- The location of your tree is a key factor in its successful removal without damaging property, plumbing pipes or electrical wirings. If your tree has easy access to get to the top then it becomes an easy job for the removers. However, if your tree is in your backyard, is leaning over your fence into your neighbour’s garden, or if it is in any way hard to access then it becomes a very difficult job. Based on the complexity of the project you may have to pay extra to remove the tree from your property.
Season
- Winter is considered the most favourable season to remove trees or tree stumps in Ottawa. Removing a dead or decaying tree in the winter will allow the ground ample time to recover. Also, it prepares your ground for any gardening or construction projects you may have planned for spring and summer. Tree specialists in Ottawa get busy from spring to fall in various tree maintenance projects so instead of paying a hefty amount to remove your tree during these pleasant months, we recommend you get the job done during winter.
A tree-removing project can become complex once you start planning it. The permit requirements and the above-mentioned cost-impacting factors can easily confuse the average homeowner. You can hire a local tree removal company by checking their Star Score, verification badge and homeowner reviews on HomeStars. When you’re ready, book an appointment with a local pro and ask them for a custom quote.