Removal decision guide
What Changes the Cost of Tree Removal in London?
There is no defensible citywide price from tree size alone. Access, condition, rigging, utilities, disposal, stump work and required approvals all change a contractor’s scope.
Quote variables
Compare scope before comparing totals
Tree and condition
Height, stem diameter, defects, deadwood and stability affect how the work can be sequenced.
Access and equipment
Backyard access, structures, utilities, traffic control, climbing, lifts and cranes can change the plan.
Included cleanup
Confirm hauling, wood handling, stump grinding, surface-root work and restoration separately.
Approvals and timing
Permit review, exemptions, nesting wildlife, emergency conditions and scheduling can affect the sequence.
By-law screen
50cm is not a universal “removal permit” rule
A private tree at least 50cm DBH inside the Urban Growth Boundary may be a Distinctive Tree, subject to the by-law’s scope and exemptions. Trees in a Tree Protection Area are protected at any size. Boundary ownership and other approvals can also matter.
Check the City’s private-tree guidance before authorizing injury or destruction. A contractor quote does not replace an approval that the owner is required to obtain.
Preservation alternative
Ask whether the objective can be met without removal
A qualified assessment can compare removal with targeted pruning, cabling, bracing, props, soil/root care, pest management or monitoring. These options do not make every tree retainable, but they create a decision based on the defect and target rather than fear or size alone.
The grant does not pay for removal
London’s TCCP supports approved preservation work on qualifying trees. It offers up to $1,000 per approved tree and $5,000 per property; the City says most awards are lower.
Written comparison
Ask each removal quote to state the same items
- Exact tree and proposed work, including whether the stump is included.
- Equipment, access assumptions and responsibility for utility locates or traffic control.
- Debris, logs, stump grindings and site restoration included in the price.
- Taxes, permit fees, change conditions, insurance and schedule.
Primary sources
Check the official rules
Program decisions are made by the City of London. These sources were reviewed on July 29, 2026.