ArborProof

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Kitchener, Ontario · Updated September 2026

Best Tree Services in Kitchener

The three highest-scoring tree companies that serve Kitchener, ranked by ARB Score. Every company in Ontario is checked the same way, on insurance coverage, arborist credentials, experience and reviews. No company can pay to be at the top of this page.

31companies serve Kitchener
15with WSIB clearance confirmed
5.5average ARB Score here

Kitchener’s top 3 by ARB Score

1

Martin's Tree Service Inc.

Serves Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo and Guelph

5.0 · 299 Google reviewsWSIB clearance confirmed · to Nov 19, 2026
Not yet verified by the businessThese details come from our own research. Is this your business? Claim this listing
SpecializationsHighlighted: what they specialize in (up to 6)
Call 519-400-1441Visit websiteFull profile →
10ARB Score

Score breakdown

Positive client experiences299 Google reviews
4
Compliance & transparencyWSIB clearance confirmed
1
Years of experience15 years in business
4
Education & trainingNo arborists listed in the ISA directory
0
Local & independentFounded in Canada
1

The ISA directory is opt-in, so a company may have certified arborists we can't see. Ask.

2

Davey Tree Care Services (Kitchener office)

Serves Kitchener, New Hamburg, St. Jacobs, Cambridge and Stratford and more

4.3 · 175 Google reviewsWSIB clearance confirmed · to Nov 19, 2026
Not yet verified by the businessThese details come from our own research. Is this your business? Claim this listing
SpecializationsHighlighted: what they specialize in (up to 6)
Call 519-570-9341Visit websiteFull profile →
10ARB Score

Score breakdown

Positive client experiences175 Google reviews
3
Compliance & transparencyWSIB clearance confirmed
1
Years of experience25+ years in business
6
Education & trainingNo arborists listed in the ISA directory
0
Local & independentNot founded in Canada
0

The ISA directory is opt-in, so a company may have certified arborists we can't see. Ask.

3

King Tree Service

Serves Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo and Guelph

4.5 · 53 Google reviewsWSIB clearance confirmed · to Nov 19, 2026
Not yet verified by the businessThese details come from our own research. Is this your business? Claim this listing
SpecializationsHighlighted: what they specialize in (up to 6)
Call 519-620-7165Visit websiteFull profile →
10ARB Score

Score breakdown

Positive client experiences53 Google reviews
2
Compliance & transparencyWSIB clearance confirmed
1
Years of experience25+ years in business
6
Education & trainingNo arborists listed in the ISA directory
0
Local & independentFounded in Canada
1

The ISA directory is opt-in, so a company may have certified arborists we can't see. Ask.

Ties are broken by number of Google reviews.

More companies serving Kitchener

4JL's Tree ServiceKitchener-Waterloo-Guelph · 5.0 from 381 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed95Baum Professional Tree CareKitchener-Waterloo-Guelph · 5.0 from 159 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed96Ape's Tree ServiceLondon · 5.0 from 247 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB not confirmed87Rayzor's Edge Tree ServiceKitchener-Waterloo-Guelph · 4.9 from 239 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB not confirmed88KW Tree BarberKitchener-Waterloo-Guelph · 5.0 from 89 reviewsNot verified by businessWSIB confirmed8See all 31 companies serving Kitchener on the map →
Before you cut

Kitchener’s private tree rules

Permit needed in some areas or cases

Kitchener's private tree permit only applies to properties bigger than 1 acre (0.405 hectares). On a typical house lot you do not need a City permit, but city boulevard trees and large regional woodlands are protected.

Lots over 1 acre

Permit for trees 10 cm and up

On properties larger than 0.405 hectares (1 acre), you need a tree conservation permit to remove a tree more than 10 cm wide at chest height. The 2025 permit fee is $147.

Smaller lots

No City permit on typical house lots

Properties of 1 acre or less are not covered by the private tree by-law. Trees within 5 m of an occupied building are also exempt.

City boulevard and park trees

City trees are protected

The Public Tree By-law (updated June 2025) bans damaging city trees, their roots or protection zones. Fines go up to $10,000, plus restoration or compensation.

All of Waterloo Region

Woodlands 1 hectare and larger

The Region of Waterloo Woodland Conservation By-law needs a permit before cutting in woodlands of 1 hectare (2.5 acres) or more. Call the Regional Forester if your land is wooded.

Anywhere in Ontario

Trees on a property line

A tree whose trunk sits on the line belongs to both neighbours. Ontario’s Forestry Act says you need your neighbour’s consent before removing or injuring it.

Size limits, fees, replacement trees and exemptions
Which trees need a permit
10 cm measured at chest height, on properties larger than 0.405 ha (1 acre) only
Permit fee
$147 standard tree conservation permit; $76 revision or renewal (2025 application form)
Replacement trees
Permit may require replacement planting and fees to cover planting and 2 years of care (set case by case).
Common exemptions
  • Trees under 10 cm wide at chest height
  • Dead, diseased or hazardous trees certified by a qualified person
  • Trees damaged by storms or disasters where removal is needed for safety (certified)
  • Trees within 5 m of an occupied building
  • Trees where a building permit has been issued
  • Pruning that does not harm the tree
What’s changing

Rules under review

Kitchener is reviewing its Private Tree Conservation By-law (EngageWR 'Private Tree Conservation and Management'). Staff are preparing a council report with recommendations; no council date or proposed thresholds published as of Sept 2026.

Not sure if you need a permit?

Ask the municipality before any work starts. A good tree company will also check for you and tell you who applies for the permit.

City of Kitchener (trees@kitchener.ca; permits: planning@kitchener.ca)

519-741-2345Official information page →

Summary checked September 2026. It’s a plain-language guide, not legal advice. Bylaws change, so confirm with the municipality before you remove a tree.

Sources
Before you hire

What to check before you hire a tree service

Tree work is dangerous, and it’s expensive to fix when it goes wrong. Six questions worth asking any company, including the ones on this page.

  1. Ask for a WSIB clearance certificate and proof of liability insurance

    Tree work is one of the most dangerous jobs out there. We do our best on our end, but these certificates can change before we have a chance to update them. Some good companies will give them to you without you even having to ask. Bonus!

  2. Find out who will actually do the work

    You may get a Certified Arborist as your salesperson, but will the same be true of the person who works on your property? You won't know until you ask. A Certified Arborist may cost more, but it can cost a lot more if the work is done wrong and the tree dies early or your property is damaged.

  3. Get the quote in writing

    It should say exactly which trees, and whether cleanup, wood removal, stump grinding and so on are included. The more detailed the quote, the better.

  4. Ask who handles the permit

    If a bylaw applies, agree up front who applies for the permit and who pays the fee. Removing a protected tree without one usually means a fine for the property owner, not the tree company.

  5. If money is tight, try this

    See if the work can be scheduled in a slower season for a lower price. Clear obstacles (fences, gates, lawn ornaments, plants) before the crew arrives. Find someone online, such as on Facebook Marketplace, who will take the wood for free. Or change the scope of work, for example pruning only the lower half of the tree instead of the whole tree.

  6. Trees near power lines are a utility job

    If branches touch or come close to a hydro line, call your local hydro utility (the one on your electricity bill) first. Only crews the utility approves can work near power lines.

How we pick Kitchener’s top 3

We rank every company whose service area includes Kitchener by ARB Score. The score counts Google reviews, WSIB clearance, published insurance and pricing, years in business, ISA-verified arborists and Canadian ownership. We look up everything except insurance and pricing, which a company tells us itself.

Tree services near Kitchener

WaterlooCambridgeGuelphBrantfordMiltonHalton Hills

ARB Scores reflect public records and research on the date checked. Always confirm insurance, certification and WSIB coverage directly with a company before you hire it.