Trusted & Certified Ottawa Arborists
ISA Certified
Certified Arborist on staff, verified credentials
500+ Tree Removals
Successful tree removals in Ottawa & the surrounding area
Zero Claims
Zero property damage claims in 7+ years
7+ Years Serving Ottawa
Locally-owned family business, founded by Riley Sheldrick
Why Homeowners Trust Green Thumb Tree Specialists
Tree Permit Experts
By law, any tree 30 cm (about 12 inches) in diameter on your property requires a City permit before removal. We prepare arborist reports, manage permits, and handle all permit communications with the City. Average permit approval: 2 weeks, compared to the 4–6 week industry standard. We know the rules. We handle the process. You stay compliant and protected from fines.
ISA Certified & Arboriculture Canada Trained
Our team holds ISA Certified Arborist credentials and completes ongoing training through Arboriculture Canada and ISA continuing education programs. We stay current with the latest tree care techniques, disease management, and safety protocols, so we safely handle removals that others hesitate to undertake.
Zero-Damage Methodology
We use professional rigging, rope systems, and industry-leading equipment, including bucket trucks and cranes that meet ANSI safety standards. Every branch and log is lowered to the ground safely and in a controlled manner. No trees crashing into decks. No property damage. Zero damage claims across 500+ removals. That’s not luck, that’s methodology.
Local Expertise
We know the city’s tree species, seasonal challenges, and neighbourhood regulations. Ice storms? We’ve been called out the same day other companies stopped answering, and we’ve never turned down an emergency in our service area. Emerald Ash Borer and Dutch Elm Disease? We assess, treat, and remove affected trees every month. We understand tree problems at a level that general contractors can’t match.
Meet Our Certified Arborist Team
Riley Sheldrick — Founder & Lead Arborist
ISA Certified Arborist | Arboriculture Canada Trained | 10+ Years Experience
Riley founded Green Thumb Tree Specialists in 2018 after years in the industry, frustrated by how larger companies treated homeowners, unclear pricing, property damage, and poor communication. He built Green Thumb around a different standard. Today, Riley specialises in Ottawa’s most demanding removals: 80-foot trees beside houses, permit-regulated trees in tight urban spaces, and same-day emergency storm response. He has personally managed over 120 emergency removals during the region’s worst ice storms and handles every complex permit application through the Tree Protection By-law process himself. He personally assesses every high-risk job and is on-site for all critical work.
Emily Sheldrick — Operations & Client Care
Emily joined Green Thumb Tree Specialists in 2020 and manages every client experience from the first call to the final cleanup, scheduling, permit coordination, crew communications, and post-job follow-ups. She is the single point of contact between our clients and the City during the approval process, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. Every client receives a follow-up call after job completion to confirm they’re satisfied.
Professional Tree Services in Ottawa
Green Thumb Tree Specialists offers a full range of tree services, from removal and pruning to stump grinding and trimming.
Tree Removal
Tree removal requires more than a chainsaw; it takes certified expertise, the right equipment, and a plan that protects your property from start to finish. Our ISA-certified arborists handle removals of all sizes, from single ornamental trees to 80-foot hardwoods within feet of your home. We use professional rigging, bucket trucks, and cranes to bring every tree down safely and in a controlled manner. Fully insured with WSIB coverage on every job. Request a Tree Removal Quote
Tree Trimming
Overgrown or poorly shaped trees don’t just affect curb appeal; they create real safety hazards, especially during ice storms and high-wind events. Our certified arborists trim and prune trees to promote healthy growth, improve structure, and reduce the risk of falling branches. We tailor every job to the specific species, age, and conditions of your tree. Most trees benefit from trimming every 2–3 years. Learn More
Stump Removal
A leftover stump is more than an eyesore; it attracts wood-boring pests, spreads disease to neighbouring trees, and creates tripping hazards that put your family and visitors at risk. Roots from a decaying stump can also work into foundations, driveways, and underground utilities over time. We grind stumps below grade and clean up all debris, leaving your yard ready for replanting or landscaping. Learn More
Snow removal
24/7 Emergency Tree Service
Ice storms, wind events, and heavy snowfall can bring down trees and branches without warning, often onto homes, fences, and vehicles. When that happens, you need a certified arborist on-site fast, not a general contractor with a chainsaw. We respond to tree emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including same-day response for active hazards. Learn More
Our Tree Removal Process: 4 Steps to a Job Done Right
Step 1: Free Assessment
We visit your property and evaluate the tree: health, structural integrity, size, location, and proximity to structures. We listen to your concerns, explain what we recommend and why. Free, no-pressure assessment.
Step 2: Permit & Planning
For trees protected under Ottawa’s Tree Protection By-law, we prepare the full arborist report, submit the permit application, and manage all City communication on your behalf. We handle everything, you don’t need to deal with any of it.
Step 3: Safe Execution
On removal day, our certified crew arrives with the right equipment for the job, from hand tools to bucket trucks and cranes. Every section of the tree is removed in a controlled sequence, with each branch and log safely brought to ground level. Your property is protected throughout with tarps and careful planning.
Step 4: Complete Cleanup
Stumps ground below grade. Branches chipped. Logs removed or cut to firewood length on request. We walk the completed site with you and make sure you’re 100% satisfied before we leave.
CLIENTS
Testimonials
Local Tree Expertise — Handling Unique Challenges
Our region faces unique tree-related challenges that general contractors often don’t fully understand. Here’s how we handle the ones homeowners face most often:
- Ice Storms: Ottawa’s ice storms snap branches and fell trees with little warning. We respond fast when other companies are fully booked, often on-site, same-day, when emergencies are called in.
- Emerald Ash Borer: EAB kills ash trees rapidly and spreads to neighbouring properties. We identify infestations early, assess whether treatment is viable, and remove affected trees in accordance with proper disposal protocols.
- Dutch Elm Disease: Dutch Elm Disease is active in the city. Early identification and removal stop the spread. We recognise DED symptoms and act before the disease moves to healthy trees nearby.
- Urban Tree Challenges: Residential lots often have trees within feet of homes, decks, fences, and power lines. These require expert rigging and precise planning, not just a chainsaw and a truck.
- Tree Protection By-law: The Tree Protection By-law protects trees 30 cm or larger on your property. We manage the full City approval process, permits, reports, and communications, so you never have to navigate it alone.
- Storm Debris Cleanup: After major wind or ice events, we clear fallen debris, assess structural damage to remaining trees, and make your property safe again, including same-day emergency response when needed.
Available 24/7 for Tree Emergencies
What is a tree emergency? When damage to a tree immediately threatens the health, safety, or property of those around it, call Green Thumb Tree Specialists for immediate emergency tree assistance. We’re available 24/7.
Some emergencies are obvious, like a branch that falls on a home or one that catches fire. However, did you know that a trunk that leans more than 15 degrees may easily fall? When in doubt, call us. There is no charge for a safety assessment.
Our Service Area
Green Thumb Tree Specialists provides ISA-certified tree removal and arborist services across the entire Ottawa region. Whether you’re in the urban core or the suburbs, our team reaches you quickly, often same-day for emergencies.
We serve: Kanata, Nepean, Barrhaven, Casselman, Chesterville, Crysler, Orléans, Gloucester, Stittsville, Rockcliffe Park, Westboro, Manotick, Russell, Embrun, and all surrounding communities in the Ottawa Valley.
Call Us When You Need the Tree Care Service
When you need tree services, you won’t find a better partner than Green Thumb Tree Specialists. We keep our prices competitive and work efficiently to produce superior results. We make the entire process a positive, hassle-free experience from start to finish.
You can contact us for a free quote online or by calling (613) 416-6302. Learn more about our certified arborists and how we provide 24/7 tree services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still have questions about our tree services? Consider these answers to some common questions.
How Much Does Tree Removal Cost?
Cost depends on tree size and species, location, accessibility, and complexity. A 30-foot tree in an open area typically runs $800–$1,200. An 80-foot tree close to a house may range from $3,000–$5,000. We provide free, on-site estimates with fully transparent pricing.
Do I Need a Permit to Remove a Tree?
In Ottawa, trees with a trunk diameter of 30 cm or larger are protected under the City’s Tree Protection By-law and typically require a permit before removal. Our ISA-certified arborists prepare the required arborist report, submit your permit application, and manage City approvals on your behalf. Average City approval: 2 weeks.
What happens if I remove a protected tree without a permit?
Removing a protected tree without the required permit can result in significant City of Ottawa fines, and you may be legally required to replace the tree at your own expense. We handle the entire permit process so you’re never at risk.
How quickly can you remove a tree?
For routine removals, we typically schedule within 1–2 weeks. For emergencies, storm damage, a fallen tree, or an immediate safety hazard, we respond same-day, 24/7. Call (613) 416-6302 any time.
What is the best time of year for tree removal or trimming?
Do my trees need annual inspections?
Am I liable for damage during tree services?
