SEARCHING FOR AN ARBORIST IN OTTAWA?
Ottawa’s ISA-Certified Arborist — Your Trees’ Best Defense Against Disease, Damage & Danger.
Whether you need a tree pruned, assessed, removed, cabled, or diagnosed — choose the certified expert Ottawa homeowners trust. Green Thumb is family-owned and led by Riley Sheldrick, an ISA-Certified Arborist and Arboriculture Canada-Trained specialist. 500+ trees cared for. Zero property damage claims. Fully insured. Available 24/7 for emergencies across Ottawa and the surrounding region.
- ISA Certified Arborist + Arboriculture Canada Trained — not just a guy with a chainsaw
- Owner-led by Riley Sheldrick — your arborist on-site, not a salesman
- Full-service: pruning, removals, assessments, cabling, emergency response, permits
- Fully insured with WSIB coverage on every visit
- 500+ trees serviced across Ottawa with zero property damage claims
- 24/7 emergency response — we’ve never turned down an emergency in our service area
★★★★★
Trusted by Ottawa-area homeowners.
Trusted by Ottawa-area homeowners.
ISA
Certified Arborist
Certified Arborist
Since 2018
Family-Owned & Locally Operated
Family-Owned & Locally Operated
Request Your Free Arborist Consultation
Free on-site assessment by an ISA-Certified Arborist. No pressure, no obligation.
Free on-site assessment by an ISA-Certified Arborist. No pressure, no obligation.
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Trusted By Ottawa Homeowners Across The Region
Why The Credential Matters
What Makes A Real Arborist Different From A “Tree Guy”
Credentialed
ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) Certified Arborists complete rigorous testing in tree biology, diagnosis, soil science, pruning, planting, and tree risk assessment — and must keep their certification current with ongoing education.
CERTIFIED ISA
Arboriculture Canada Trained
Our team completes continuing education through Arboriculture Canada, staying current with the latest tree care techniques, disease management, safety protocols, and Canadian climate considerations.
TRAINED
Fully Insured + WSIB
Real arborists carry full liability insurance and WSIB coverage. If a contractor can’t show proof of insurance, they’re not a real arborist — and you could end up paying for their accident.
INSURED
Plan Before Cut
Real arborists assess every tree as an individual living system — diagnosing root causes, planning safe techniques, and respecting the tree’s biology. The result: 500+ jobs completed with zero property damage claims.
METHODICAL
Real Value, Real Service
Why Ottawa Homeowners Choose Green Thumb As Their Arborist
No gimmicks, no hidden fees, no upselling. Just real value built into every consultation
Free On-Site Consultation
Your ISA-Certified Arborist visits your property, evaluates your trees, and provides honest recommendations and a written quote — completely free, no obligation.
MOST POPULAR
Full City of Ottawa Permit Handling
We prepare arborist reports, manage permit applications, and handle every City communication on your behalf. Average approval: 2 weeks vs. industry standard 4–6 weeks.
PERMIT EXPERTISE
Round-The-Clock Emergency Response
A tree on your house at 2 AM? A hazardous limb after an ice storm? We’ve never turned down an emergency in our service area. Call any hour, any day.
24/7 GUARANTEE
The Same Expert Start To Finish
Riley personally inspects every high-risk job and is on-site for all critical work. You don’t get a salesman quoting and a stranger doing the work — you get the same certified arborist throughout.
OWNER-LED
Founded 2018 | ISA Certified | Locally Owned
Why Ottawa Homeowners Trust Green Thumb As Their Local Arborist
Choosing an arborist isn’t just hiring a tree service — it’s trusting someone with the long-term health and safety of your trees, your property, and everyone who walks beneath them. Here’s why Ottawa homeowners pick Green Thumb.
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 handle assessments and treatments that less-qualified contractors hesitate to undertake.
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.
Zero-Damage Track Record
We use professional rigging, rope systems, and industry-leading equipment, including bucket trucks and cranes that meet ANSI safety standards. No trees crashing into decks. No property damage. Zero damage claims across 500+ jobs. That’s not luck — that’s methodology.
Local Expertise In Ottawa's Trees
We know the region’s tree species, seasonal challenges, and neighbourhood regulations. Ice storms? We’ve been called out the same day other companies stopped answering. Emerald Ash Borer and Dutch Elm Disease? We assess, treat, and remove affected trees every month.
Owner-Led By A Certified Arborist
Riley Sheldrick, our founder and lead ISA-Certified Arborist, personally inspects every high-risk job and is on-site for all critical work. He has personally managed 120+ emergency removals during the region’s worst ice storms. Real accountability, every time.
Full-Service Arborist Care
Every Arborist Service You Need — From One Trusted Ottawa Team
Most Ottawa “tree companies” only do one thing well. Green Thumb is a full-service ISA-Certified arborist team, equipped to handle every situation your trees face — from a single overgrown branch to an entire lot clearing.
Tree Health Assessment & Risk Diagnosis
Worried about a leaning tree, visible decay, or unexplained dieback? Our certified arborist conducts a thorough on-site evaluation — examining the canopy, trunk, root system, and surrounding conditions — to diagnose problems before they become emergencies.
Tree Pruning & Structural Care
Overgrown or poorly shaped trees create real safety hazards, especially during Ottawa’s ice storms and high winds. Our certified arborists prune and trim trees to promote healthy growth, improve structure, and reduce the risk of falling branches. Most trees benefit from professional pruning every 2–3 years.
Tree Removal
Our ISA-certified arborists handle removals of all sizes — from single ornamentals to 80-foot hardwoods within feet of your home. Professional rigging, bucket trucks, and cranes ensure every tree comes down safely. 500+ removals completed with zero damage claims.
24/7 Emergency Tree Removal
Storm tree on your roof? Split trunk after an ice storm? We’ve personally managed 120+ emergency removals during the region’s worst weather events. Call any hour — we’ve never turned down an emergency in our service area.
Cabling & Bracing
Some structurally compromised trees don’t need to come down — they need the right support. Our arborists install high-strength cabling and bracing systems that stabilize split trunks and heavy co-dominant limbs, preserving mature or sentimental trees safely.
Stump Removal & Grinding
A leftover stump is a trip hazard, a magnet for wood-boring pests, and an eyesore. Our stump grinding equipment removes stumps cleanly, leaving your yard ready for replanting or new landscaping.
Arborist Reports & Permit Applications
The City of Ottawa requires arborist reports for permit-regulated removals (30+ cm diameter) and many construction projects. We prepare professional, permit-ready reports and handle the entire City application process — average approval: 2 weeks.
Lot & Land Clearing
Building a new home, expanding your property, or developing a lot? We provide professional lot clearing services with all the equipment, permits, and certifications needed — done right the first time.
Not sure which service you need? Book a free consultation and we’ll point you in the right direction.
What You Get With Every Green Thumb Arborist Service
Complete service from the first phone call to the final follow-up. No surprises. No hidden charges.
Free On-Site Consultation By an ISA-Certified Arborist
Honest Recommendations — No Upselling
Written Quote With Transparent Pricing
Full City of Ottawa Permit Handling (When Required)
Professional Equipment Including Bucket Trucks & Cranes
Comprehensive Insurance & WSIB Coverage on Every Job
Full Site Cleanup — Brush Chipped, Debris Hauled Off, Yard Raked
Post-Job Follow-Up Call By Emily To Confirm Your Satisfaction
Owner-Operated
Meet The Arborist Team Coming To Your Property
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 with unclear pricing, property damage, and poor communication. He built Green Thumb around a different standard. Today, Riley specializes in the most demanding work: 80-foot trees beside houses, permit-regulated trees in tight urban spaces, complex pest diagnoses, and same-day emergency storm response. He has personally managed 120+ emergency removals during the region’s worst ice storms and handles every complex permit application through the Tree Protection By-law process himself.
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. Every client receives a follow-up call after job completion to confirm they’re satisfied.
Our Arborist Process
01
Free On-Site Consultation
Your ISA-Certified Arborist arrives at your property, evaluates the situation, identifies any urgent hazards, and walks you through your options. You receive honest recommendations and a clear written quote before any work is scheduled.
02
Permit Handling (If Required)
For permit-regulated work, we prepare the arborist report, manage the City of Ottawa permit application, and handle every City communication on your behalf. Average approval: 2 weeks.
03
Professional Service
Our crew arrives with the right equipment for the job — bucket trucks, cranes, professional rigging — and completes the work safely. For complex removals, we use sectional top-down dismantling. For pruning, we follow ISA-recommended techniques. Every cut is deliberate.
04
Full Cleanup & Follow-Up
We chip all brush, haul debris off-site, and rake the area clean. Then Emily personally follows up to confirm everything met our standard. We don’t disappear after the trucks leave.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
You Need A Certified Arborist If…
Tree problems don’t get better on their own. Ottawa’s freeze-thaw cycles, ice storms, and pest pressures only make weak trees more dangerous over time. The earlier you catch a problem, the more options you have — and the less it costs.
01 A tree is leaning more than it used to, or shifted after a recent storm
02 You can see visible cracks, decay, peeling bark, or fungal growth
03 Branches are coming down without much wind
04 A tree is too close to your home, garage, driveway, or power lines
05 You suspect Emerald Ash Borer, Dutch Elm Disease, or another pest infestation
06 You’re applying for a building permit and the City requires an arborist report
07 You’re buying or selling a property and need a professional tree assessment
08 A previous storm left visible damage that hasn’t been properly addressed
09 You haven’t had your trees professionally assessed in 3+ years
10 You just feel something’s off — and you want a real expert to look
A small assessment today prevents a major removal — or an insurance claim — tomorrow. Get a real ISA-certified expert on your property before the next storm.
Finding An Arborist In Ottawa — Frequently Asked Questions
Found Your Arborist. Book A Free Consultation Today
ISA Certified. Fully insured. Locally owned. 500+ trees serviced across Ottawa with zero damage claims. Whether you need a single tree assessed, a permit-ready arborist report, or full-service tree care — Riley and the Green Thumb team are ready.
✓ ISA Certified Arborist ✓ WSIB & Fully Insured ✓ 500+ Trees Serviced ✓ 24/7 Emergency Response ✓ Family-Owned Since 2018