Tree Services in Scarborough
Toronto Tree Services provides complete tree care throughout Scarborough. We work on residential lots of every size, from narrow post-war bungalow lots in Agincourt and Bendale to large estate properties overlooking Lake Ontario in Guildwood and Cliffcrest. Our ISA certified arborist leads every job, from the first estimate through final debris removal.
As part of the City of Toronto, Scarborough falls under Chapter 813 of the Toronto Municipal Code, the city's Private Tree Bylaw. This bylaw protects privately owned trees with a trunk diameter of 30cm or more, measured at 1.4m above grade. Removing or seriously injuring a protected tree without a permit is a bylaw offence with significant penalties. Many Scarborough properties also include land regulated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority due to the Highland Creek, Rouge River and Scarborough Bluffs systems. We navigate all of these requirements every week.
Scarborough Tree Permit Facts
- Bylaw: Chapter 813, City of Toronto Private Tree Bylaw
- Threshold: 30cm DBH at 1.4m above grade
- Permit fee: $137.50 per tree (non-construction)
- Construction adjacent: $370 per tree
- Cash-in-lieu of replacement: $583 per tree
- TRCA permitting required for work in regulated ravine and valley areas
Tree Services We Provide in Scarborough
We offer the full range of tree services that Scarborough homeowners, property managers and developers need. Our crew is equipped for tight city lots and large estate properties alike, and our arborist handles all permit and regulatory requirements.
Tree Removal
Sectional removal with rigging for Scarborough's typical tight residential lots. We handle Chapter 813 permit applications, respond to City staff review requests and coordinate replacement planting. Full site cleanup included on every job.
Tree Pruning and Trimming
ISA-standard pruning: deadwood removal, crown thinning, crown raising, structural pruning and clearance trimming from rooflines and structures. We do not top trees.
Stump Grinding
Compact tracked grinders for Scarborough's gated bungalow lots and full-size commercial machines for open estate properties. Below-grade results and chip cleanup included on every job.
Arborist Reports
ISA certified reports for Chapter 813 permit applications, Tree Preservation Plans for building permits, TRCA submission support, hazard assessments and tree appraisals.
Emergency Tree Service
24/7 emergency response for storm damage, fallen trees, split trunks and hanging limbs throughout all Scarborough neighbourhoods. We carry full liability insurance and respond fast.
Tree Preservation Plans
Tree Preservation Plans meeting City of Toronto requirements for building permit applications in Scarborough. Tree protection fencing installation included. TRCA-regulated lot experience.
Hedge Trimming
Cedar privacy hedges, mixed hedgerows and overgrown boundary shrubs. Straight lines, correct cutting technique and complete debris removal on every job.
Scarborough Neighbourhoods We Serve
We work across all of Scarborough's varied neighbourhoods. Each area has its own character in terms of lot size, tree species, property type and regulatory context, and our team understands these local differences well.
Guildwood and Cliffcrest are estate-scale neighbourhoods along the Lake Ontario bluffs with very large mature trees, some of heritage scale, and properties that sometimes adjoin TRCA-regulated land near the Bluffs. These jobs require experienced rigging crews and careful arborist assessment. Birchcliff and Cliffside are established mid-century neighbourhoods with large silver maples and oaks on standard residential lots. West Hill and Highland Creek include many properties that back onto ravine systems, where TRCA jurisdiction adds a layer of permitting complexity. Agincourt, Bendale, Woburn and Malvern cover the broader Scarborough interior with a mix of bungalow lots, townhouse complexes and newer subdivisions, each with different access and equipment requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my Scarborough tree need a City of Toronto permit to remove?
If your tree has a trunk diameter of 30cm or more at 1.4m above the ground, it is a protected tree under Chapter 813 of the Toronto Municipal Code and requires a permit before removal. Trees smaller than 30cm DBH on private residential property generally do not require a permit. Our arborist measures and confirms the status of every tree before work begins.
Does living near a ravine in Scarborough affect my permit requirements?
Yes, it can. Properties that include or adjoin land in a TRCA-regulated floodplain, valley or ravine corridor may require a TRCA permit in addition to or instead of a Chapter 813 permit for tree work in the regulated area. We identify TRCA-regulated conditions during our site assessment and advise you on the applicable process before any work begins.
What is the permit fee for removing a tree in Scarborough?
The City of Toronto charges $137.50 per protected tree for a non-construction tree removal permit. For trees being removed in connection with construction or development work, the fee is $370 per tree. If the City requires replacement planting as a permit condition and it cannot be fulfilled on-site, a cash-in-lieu payment of $583 per required replacement tree applies.
Are you licensed to work in Scarborough?
Yes. We carry all required licensing and a minimum $5 million in general liability insurance. Our lead arborist holds an active ISA certification and regularly prepares reports accepted by the City of Toronto's Urban Forestry department and by TRCA.
Do you clean up after every job?
Complete cleanup is included on every job without exception. Branches and wood are chipped and removed. All chips, sawdust and debris are cleared from the work area, driveway and lawn. For stump grinding, the chips can be levelled in the depression or hauled away, whichever you prefer.
More Scarborough Tree Services
Get a Free Estimate for Tree Work in Scarborough
We serve all of Scarborough including Guildwood, Cliffcrest, West Hill, Highland Creek, Agincourt, Malvern, Scarborough Village, Woburn, Birchcliff, Cliffside, Bendale and Wexford. Our certified arborist visits your property, confirms permit requirements and provides a firm written quote before any work begins.