Tree removal: larger trees
Trees taller than a 2.5-storey home (roughly over 9 m / 30 ft)
Taking down a large tree, usually piece by piece with ropes, a bucket truck or a crane.
What it is
Big trees rarely come down in one piece. A climber or bucket-truck operator removes the tree in sections, lowering heavy pieces on ropes so nothing hits the house, wires or garden below. For trees over a roof or with no safe place to lower wood, a crane may lift sections out.
Large removals are among the most dangerous jobs in tree work. This is where proper insurance, WSIB coverage and experienced crews matter most.
Signs you might need it
- A large dead tree, or big dead limbs over the house, driveway or play area
- Cracks in the trunk, large cavities, or mushrooms growing at the base
- The tree was badly damaged in a storm
- Roots are lifting the driveway or damaging a foundation
- The tree is leaning toward a building
Good to know
Crane services are often part of a large removal but are priced separately. If you want to keep the tree, ask about pruning, cabling and bracing, or a risk assessment first.
Typical cost in Ontario
Before HST. Trees 30–60 ft are usually about $700–$1,500. Trees 60–80 ft are about $1,500–$3,000. Very large or complex trees can cost $5,000 or more.
What pushes the price up or down
- Height and trunk thickness: more wood to lower and haul
- Hanging over the house, garage or power lines
- Whether a bucket truck or chipper can reach the tree, or everything is carried out by hand
- Dead or hazardous trees are riskier to climb
- A crane, stump grinding, hauling and permits added as separate items
Ways to spend less
- Get 2–3 itemized quotes; prices for the same large tree can differ two or three times over
- Schedule non-urgent removals in late fall or winter, not during storm season
- Have several trees done in one visit so setup and equipment costs are shared
Toronto and Ottawa price guides agree on these ranges. Very large or complex jobs vary widely. 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.
Tree removal cost calculator
Answer six quick questions about your tree for a ballpark price range. It’s an estimate, not a quote: the final price is always set after a company sees the tree.
Find a company for this work
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