PRoFESSIONAL
TREE REMOVAL
Deciding to remove a tree isn’t usually easy. Trees are part of a property in a way that feels personal, especially the ones that have been there longer than the house has had its current owners. J&C Tree Services provides professional tree removal throughout Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. Whether you’re dealing with a dead tree, storm damage, a hazardous lean, or a tree that’s outgrown its location, our arborists safely remove trees of all sizes while protecting your home and landscape.
Over the past 12 years our climbers at J&C Tree Services have taken down trees of every size across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, from small backyard removals to large trees leaning over rooflines and driveways.
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& get a quote
Does Your Tree Actually Need to Come Down?
Not every troubled tree needs removal. A tree with a few dead branches or an early-stage disease often responds well to pruning and can be saved. Hazardous tree removal becomes the right solution when the damage reaches the tree’s main structure rather than just its canopy.
A few signs worth taking seriously:
- Deep vertical cracks in the trunk, which often point to frost cracking or internal stress that’s compromising the trunk’s strength
- Hanging or partially broken limbs still lodged in the canopy, sometimes held up by nothing more than a strip of bark
- Mushrooms or fungal growth near the base, which usually signals decay working through the root system or lower trunk
- A sudden lean that wasn’t there before, especially after a storm, which can mean the root plate has shifted underground
- A hollow trunk or large cavity, particularly once it affects more than about a third of the trunk’s diameter
- Large sections of the canopy that fail to leaf out, which often means dieback within the tree’s vascular system
Species matters too. Silver maple and Manitoba maple, both common across the GTA, tend toward internal decay and generally hold up worse under stress than oak or hickory of a similar size, which can tip the decision toward tree removal sooner.
Our arborists will give you an honest read on which category your tree falls into before recommending tree removal. We’d rather save a tree that can be saved.
Why Professional Tree Removal Matters
A large tree coming down is one of the more dangerous jobs on a residential property, for the tree, for whatever’s near it, and for whoever’s doing the cutting. Done wrong, a large tree removal can damage a roof, a fence, or a neighbouring tree, and a missed warning sign, like a decayed root system or a limb under tension, can turn a routine job into an injury.
Our crews rely on arborist climbing systems, rigging ropes and mechanical lowering devices, chainsaws built specifically for this kind of work, and aerial bucket trucks for jobs that need high access. That equipment lets us dismantle a tree in controlled sections instead of guessing at how it’ll fall, which is what protects your house, your fence, and your garden during the job. We’re insured for the work we do, so if something unexpected happens, it isn’t a cost that lands on you.
Tree Removal Permits
in the GTA
Most GTA municipalities protect trees above a certain size, and removing a protected tree without a permit can mean serious fines. The threshold and process differ by city. Toronto requires a permit for private trees 30 centimetres or more in diameter, while Mississauga’s threshold is lower at 15 centimetres, which means more trees need a permit on Mississauga properties. Trees on city property or within ravine protection zones are typically protected regardless of size. Dead or hazardous trees are usually exempt or fast-tracked, but the rules still vary by municipality.
We handle this on your behalf. Before any tree removal, we determine whether your tree falls under a local bylaw, and if a permit is needed, we manage that process, including any required arborist report, so you’re not stuck working through city paperwork on your own.
How We
Remove a Tree
Step 1
We Assess
We look at the tree’s size, condition, and lean, along with anything nearby that needs protecting, like fences, structures, or power lines.Step 2
We Plan
Depending on the tree and its location, that might mean climbing and roping sections down piece-by-piece, or using specialized equipment for larger jobs.Step 3
We Remove It
Our team works methodically, using industry best practices to bring the tree down in a safe and controlled manner, without damaging your property.Step 4
We Clear the Debris
All branches, logs, and wood chips are hauled away, leaving your property clean and ready for what’s next.Stump grinding is a separate service. If you’d like the stump gone too, mention it when you request your quote and we’ll take care of both in the same visit where possible.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree on my property?
It depends on the tree’s size and your municipality. We check this for you as part of the assessment and handle the permit application if one’s required.
What happens to the wood after removal?
We haul away all branches, logs, and debris as part of the job. If you’d like to keep the wood for firewood, let us know and we’ll leave it stacked instead.
Can you remove a tree that’s leaning on my house or a power line?
Yes, though if a tree is actively resting on your home or a live power line right now, call us directly instead of requesting a quote online so we can treat it as urgent.
I noticed mushrooms growing at the base of my tree. Does that mean it needs to come down?
Not necessarily on its own, but it’s worth taking seriously. Fungal growth at the base usually points to decay in the root system or lower trunk, and how far that decay has progressed determines whether the tree can be saved or needs to come down. It’s a good reason to get an arborist to look rather than wait and see.
Can a tree with a hollow trunk still be safe?
Sometimes. Trees can tolerate a degree of internal decay, but once a hollow section affects roughly a third or more of the trunk’s diameter, the risk of structural failure increases substantially, especially combined with a heavy canopy or nearby structures.
How much does tree removal cost?
Tree removal costs depend on the tree’s size, species, condition, location, and whether specialized climbing or equipment is required. We provide written estimates after assessing the tree so you know exactly what’s involved before work begins.
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Also Need
Pruning or Storm Cleanup?
If the rest of your property needs attention too, our tree pruning and trimming and 24-hour storm damage services cover the rest. If a tree is structurally weak but not yet at the point of removal, tree cabling can sometimes extend its life instead. If a tree has already fallen or is in immediate danger of failing after severe weather, our emergency tree removal crew can respond quickly to make the area safe.
Request a
Tree Removal Quote
If you’ve got a tree that needs to come down, our team will give you a clear assessment and handle the job from permit to cleanup.