How much does the City of London pay for tree pruning?

The City of London's Tree Canopy Conservation Program (TCCP) is one of the most generous municipal nature-funding initiatives in Ontario. If you want the bigger-picture service context first, start with our structural pruning service page. However, many homeowners are confused by how the "payment" actually works.

The $1,000 Maximum Per Tree

The City will pay a maximum of $1,000 per qualifying tree. This funding is intended to cover the cost of professional structural maintenance. If your arborist quote is $800, the city will reimburse $800. If your quote is $1,500, the city will reimburse the maximum cap of $1,000.

The Reimbursement Model (Cash-Back)

It is critical to understand that this is a reimbursement grant, not a direct payment to the contractor. The workflow is as follows:

1. Obtain an itemized quote from a City-approved ISA Certified Arborist.
2. Submit the quote to the City and receive an "Offer of Award."
3. Pay the arborist in full once the work is completed.
4. Submit your zero-balance invoice to the City.
5. Receive your municipal cheque via Canada Post (typically within 4 weeks).

Important Eligibility Note

The city will NOT pay for aesthetic pruning (like "shaping" a cedar hedge) or for the removal of healthy trees. The goal is conservation. To find out if your specific tree qualifies for the full $1,000, use our DBH measuring guide and the eligibility tool below.