Essex County is one of the least forested regions in Ontario, with tree cover in the single digits by percentage, which makes the mature trees we do have in Windsor's older neighbourhoods valuable and worth maintaining properly. It also means that when a tree fails, it usually fails onto something: a roof, a fence, a car or a hydro line. Fast-growing silver maples planted in the 1950s and 60s across South Windsor, Riverside and Forest Glade are now 60 to 80 feet tall with weak crotches and heavy limbs over houses, and they are the single most common removal and pruning job in the region.
The Emerald Ash Borer arrived in the Windsor area in 2002, the first detection in Canada, and has since killed essentially every untreated ash tree in Essex County. Standing dead ash becomes brittle quickly and sheds large limbs without warning, so if you still have a dead ash in the yard it should come down before it comes down on its own. Dead ash is also more dangerous for the crew to climb, which is why removal quotes for ash often assume a bucket truck or crane.
Permits are the other local question. The City of Windsor protects trees on city property, including the boulevard trees between the sidewalk and the street, and you cannot remove or significantly prune those without the City's involvement. Trees on your own private lot in Windsor generally do not require a permit, but Essex County's Woodlands Conservation By-law regulates cutting in woodlots over a minimum size, and properties near watercourses and the Lake Erie or Lake St. Clair shorelines may be in areas regulated by the Essex Region Conservation Authority. Anything within three metres of a hydro line needs to be coordinated with Enwin or Hydro One. A local tree company knows which rules apply to your address.
Tell us how many trees, roughly how tall, whether they are near structures or wires, and whether you want the stumps ground out. If you just need a few yards of mulch dropped in the driveway, we can match that too. Quotes are free with no obligation.
Common tree service jobs we arrange
- ▸Tree removal (including large silver maples and dead ash)
- ▸Emergency storm damage removal and cleanup
- ▸Crown thinning, reduction and deadwood pruning
- ▸Clearance pruning away from roofs, siding and service lines
- ▸Stump grinding and stump removal
- ▸Hazard tree assessment and arborist reports
- ▸Hedge and ornamental tree trimming
- ▸Lot clearing for additions, pools and garages
- ▸Cabling and bracing of split or weak-crotched trees
- ▸Bulk mulch delivery (natural, dyed black, cedar, playground)
- ▸Wood chip and firewood delivery
- ▸Tree planting and species selection
Typical costs (2026)
Ballpark ranges from recent local jobs. Your quote depends on the scope, materials and access. Get an exact number with a free quote.
| Job | Typical range | What drives the price |
|---|---|---|
| Small tree removal (under 30 ft, clear access) | $400 – $1,200 | Ornamentals, small cedars and young maples. |
| Medium tree removal (30-60 ft) | $1,200 – $3,200 | Most mature yard trees. Proximity to the house, fences and wires drives the price. |
| Large tree removal (60 ft and over, e.g. mature silver maple) | $3,000 – $8,000 | Crane or bucket truck, rigging over structures, and dead ash handling are the top end. Very large or hazardous trees can exceed this. |
| Stump grinding (per stump, 12-24 inch diameter) | $150 – $450 | Larger stumps and surface roots cost more. Usually discounted when done with the removal. |
| Crown pruning or thinning of a mature tree | $400 – $1,800 | Deadwooding a large silver maple over a house is at the high end. |
| Emergency storm removal (tree on house, fence or vehicle) | $1,500 – $6,000 | Often covered by home insurance when the tree damages an insured structure. Keep photos and invoices. |
| Bulk mulch delivered (per cubic yard, 5-yard minimum typical) | $45 – $85 | Natural hardwood is cheapest; dyed black, cedar and playground mulch cost more. Delivery fee may be separate. |
| Arborist report (for permits, insurance or disputes) | $300 – $800 | Needed for ERCA or County applications and some insurance claims. |
Why hire a local pro
- ✔Has removed hundreds of EAB-killed ash trees and knows how brittle they are, so the crew plans for a bucket truck or crane rather than sending a climber up a dead tree.
- ✔Knows the City of Windsor boulevard tree rules, the Essex County Woodlands Conservation By-law and ERCA regulated areas, and will tell you if your tree needs anyone’s permission.
- ✔Coordinates with Enwin and Hydro One on trees near service lines, which is common in older neighbourhoods with rear-lot overhead wiring.
- ✔Works tight city lots in Walkerville and Sandwich Town where there is no truck access to the backyard and everything comes out over the house.
- ✔Delivers mulch and wood chips from local yards at local prices, often with same-week delivery in spring.
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Tree Service FAQs
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Windsor?
For a tree entirely on your own private property in the City of Windsor, generally no. Trees on City property, including boulevard trees between the sidewalk and the street, are protected and require the City’s involvement. In the county, the Essex County Woodlands Conservation By-law applies to woodlots above a minimum size, and properties near watercourses or the shoreline may fall under Essex Region Conservation Authority regulation. Your tree company should confirm before cutting.
My ash tree is dead. Is it urgent?
Yes. Ash killed by the Emerald Ash Borer dries out and becomes brittle within a year or two of dying. Limbs and whole tops can fail without wind. If a dead ash is within falling distance of your house, your neighbour’s house, a driveway or a sidewalk, remove it this season. Nearly all untreated ash in Essex County is now dead or dying.
How much does it cost to remove a big silver maple?
A mature silver maple of 60 to 80 feet over a house in Windsor typically costs $3,000 to $8,000 to remove in 2026, depending on access, how much has to be rigged over the roof and whether a crane is needed. Stump grinding is usually extra. Trees with open backyard access and a drop zone are at the low end.
Who is responsible for a tree on the property line?
Under Ontario’s Forestry Act, a tree whose trunk straddles the boundary is co-owned, and neither owner can remove it without the other’s consent. You may prune branches that overhang your side back to the property line, as long as you do not harm the tree. Get agreement in writing before removal.
What about trees near hydro lines?
Any work within three metres of an energized line requires a utility-qualified crew or coordination with Enwin (in Windsor) or Hydro One (in the county). Reputable tree companies will arrange this; if a company says it is no problem and sends a climber up next to the wires, that is a red flag.
Will my insurance pay for storm tree removal?
Typically only if the tree damaged an insured structure such as your house, garage or fence. A tree that falls harmlessly in the yard is usually your cost. Document everything with photos, get a written invoice, and ask your tree company about emergency rates versus scheduling the cleanup for a regular day if there is no immediate hazard.
When is the best time to prune or remove trees?
Late fall through late winter is ideal: trees are dormant, the ground is firm for equipment, and the crew can see the structure. Oak should only be pruned in dormancy to avoid oak wilt. Removals happen year-round. Spring and early summer are the busiest and most expensive times to book.
How much mulch do I need and when should I order?
One cubic yard covers about 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep. Measure your beds, multiply length by width in feet, and divide by 100 for a 3-inch layer. Most local suppliers have a 3 to 5 yard minimum for delivery. Order in April or early May before the rush, and have the crew drop it on the driveway on a tarp.
Tree Service, Arborists & Mulch Delivery by area
Tree Service guides
- Tree Removal Cost in Windsor-Essex (2026): Stump Grinding, Permits and Dead Ash
2026 tree removal and stump grinding prices across Windsor-Essex, when you need a permit, and why Emerald Ash Borer makes dead ash an urgent job.