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Pruning

Tree pruning: smaller trees

Trees shorter than a 2.5-storey home (roughly under 9 m / 30 ft)

Trimming branches to keep a small or medium tree healthy, safe and well shaped.

What it is

Good pruning removes dead, crossing and weak branches, lifts the canopy off the house or sidewalk, and shapes young trees so they grow strong. Done right, it helps the tree. Done wrong (topping, or cutting too much at once), it can shorten the tree's life.

Most small-tree pruning can be done from a ladder or the ground. Late winter, while the tree is dormant, is often the best time for most species.

Signs you might need it

  • Dead or broken branches
  • Branches rubbing on the roof, gutters or siding
  • Branches blocking a walkway, driveway or sightlines
  • A young tree with two competing main stems
  • A thick canopy that lets little light through

Good to know

Pruning keeps the tree; removal takes it down. Ask whoever is doing the work whether they follow ISA pruning standards. An ISA Certified Arborist on site is a good sign.

What it costs

Typical cost in Ontario

$150–$500 per treeReasonable estimate

Before HST. Arborists also charge by the hour (about $75–$150 per arborist), and minimum charges of $250–$300 are common, so a single small tree often costs the minimum.

What pushes the price up or down

  • Type of work: a light clean-up costs less than structural pruning
  • Branches over the roof or near power lines
  • Ladder access versus climbing
  • Tree health: decaying trees take more care
  • Whether branches are chipped and hauled away

Ways to spend less

  • Have several trees and shrubs done in one visit so you pay the minimum only once
  • Prune in late winter or early spring; it's good for most trees and some companies discount off-peak work
  • Keep the chips as mulch if hauling is priced separately

Fewer Ontario companies publish pruning prices than removal prices. Prices are typical ranges gathered from published Ontario price guides and company price pages in September 2026, before 13% HST. They’re a guide, not a quote: your price depends on your tree and your property. Get two or three written quotes, and check whether your city charges a permit fee.

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Related specializations

Tree pruning: larger treesCabling and bracingPest and disease treatment
Sources for the prices on this page

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