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.
Updated · LocalHomePro editorial team · Windsor, ON
Removing a tree in Windsor-Essex costs anywhere from $400 for a small ornamental to $8,000 or more for a mature silver maple hanging over a house. Stump grinding adds $150 to $450 per stump. The spread is wide because the price has almost nothing to do with the species and almost everything to do with height, what the tree is next to, and how the crew can get to it.
Here is how local tree companies actually price a job, when you need anyone’s permission, and why the dead ash in your yard should move to the top of your list.
Tree removal costs in Windsor-Essex
| Job | 2026 cost (CAD) | What moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| Small tree, under 30 ft (ornamental, young maple, cedar) | $400 to $1,200 | Access and whether it can be felled whole |
| Medium tree, 30 to 60 ft | $1,200 to $3,200 | Distance to house, fences and wires |
| Large tree, 60 ft and over (mature silver maple, cottonwood) | $3,000 to $8,000+ | Crane or bucket truck, rigging over structures |
| Dead ash, any size | Add 15 to 40 percent | Brittle wood means more equipment, less climbing |
| Emergency storm removal (tree on structure) | $1,500 to $6,000 | After-hours rates, crane, careful dismantling |
| Stump grinding, 12 to 24 inch diameter | $150 to $450 | Size, surface roots, access for the grinder |
| Full stump and root removal (excavation) | $500 to $1,500 | Rarely needed unless building on the spot |
| Crown pruning or deadwooding a mature tree | $400 to $1,800 | Size and how much is over a roof |
| Arborist report | $300 to $800 | Required for some permits and insurance claims |
These are estimates. Every reputable company will come out and quote in person for free.
What actually drives the price
Height and spread. A 70-foot silver maple has to come down in pieces. Every piece that is roped down instead of dropped costs crew time.
Proximity to structures. A tree in an open backyard can be felled in sections onto the lawn. A tree between two houses on a 35-foot Walkerville lot has to be rigged piece by piece over the roof, and sometimes a crane has to lift sections out over the house because there is no truck access to the back.
Power and service lines. Anything within three metres of an energized line requires a utility-qualified crew or coordination with Enwin (Windsor) or Hydro One (the county). Rear-lot overhead wiring is common in older Windsor neighbourhoods and adds to the cost.
Condition of the tree. A dead or storm-split tree cannot be climbed safely, so the crew uses a bucket truck or crane, which costs more per hour than a climber.
Haul-away. Chipping brush and hauling logs is included in most quotes. Leaving the wood for you to use as firewood can knock a few hundred dollars off a large removal.
Season. Spring and early summer are busy and priced accordingly. Late fall and winter are slower, trees are dormant, and frozen ground lets heavy equipment onto lawns without damage.
Emerald Ash Borer: why dead ash is urgent
The Emerald Ash Borer was first found in North America in the Windsor and Detroit area in 2002. In the two decades since, it has killed essentially every untreated ash tree in Essex County. If you have an ash in your yard that has not been injected with insecticide every two years, it is dead or dying.
Dead ash is a specific hazard. Within a year or two of dying, the wood dries out and becomes brittle in a way that oak or maple does not. Large limbs and whole tops break off on calm days. Arborists treat dead ash as too dangerous to climb, which is why ash removal quotes often assume a bucket truck even for mid-sized trees.
If a dead ash is within falling distance of your house, your neighbour’s house, the driveway, the sidewalk or a play area, it should come down this season. Waiting a year does not save money; it usually costs more because the tree becomes more dangerous to work on.
Do you need a permit?
City of Windsor. Trees entirely on your private lot generally do not need a permit for removal. Trees on City property do, and that includes the boulevard trees between the sidewalk and the street even though they are in front of your house. Windsor’s tree bylaw protects these, and removing or damaging one can carry a significant fine plus replacement cost. If you are unsure where the property line is, ask the City or your tree company before anyone cuts.
Essex County municipalities. LaSalle, Tecumseh, Lakeshore, Amherstburg, Kingsville, Leamington and Essex each handle municipal trees similarly. In addition, the Essex County Woodlands Conservation By-law regulates cutting in woodlots above a minimum size, which matters on rural lots and acreages. Essex County is one of the least forested areas in Ontario, with tree cover in the single digits, and the by-law exists to protect what is left.
Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA). Properties near watercourses, wetlands and the Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair shorelines may be in ERCA-regulated areas where tree removal and grading need approval.
Property-line trees. Under Ontario’s Forestry Act, a tree whose trunk straddles the boundary belongs to both owners, and neither can remove it without the other’s consent. You can prune overhanging branches back to the line as long as you do not harm the tree. Get agreement in writing before a shared tree comes down.
A good local tree company knows which of these apply to your address and will tell you before quoting.
Stump grinding: do you need it?
A ground stump is chewed down to about 15 to 30 cm below grade, the hole is backfilled with the chips, and you can seed grass over it. For most yards that is all you need. You only need full root excavation if you are building a deck, pool, addition or driveway over the spot. Grinding is cheaper when done the same day as the removal because the equipment is already there.
Insurance and storm damage
If a tree falls on your house, garage, fence or car, your home or auto insurance usually covers the removal and the damage, less your deductible. If a tree falls harmlessly in the yard, the cleanup is generally your cost. After a storm, take photos before anything is touched, get a written quote, and ask whether the job is truly an emergency or whether scheduling it for a regular day in a week will save you the after-hours premium.
How to choose a tree service
- Ask for proof of liability insurance (at least $2 million) and WSIB coverage. Tree work has one of the highest injury rates of any trade.
- Ask whether a certified arborist is on staff for anything more complex than a straightforward removal.
- Confirm how they will handle hydro lines if any are nearby.
- Get the quote in writing with the scope: removal, chipping, haul-away, stump grinding, clean-up.
- Be wary of a crew that knocks on your door after a storm with a chainsaw and a cash price.
Get a free quote
We match Windsor-Essex homeowners with insured local tree services for removal, pruning, stump grinding, storm cleanup and bulk mulch. Tell us how many trees, roughly how tall and what they are near, and get a free on-site quote. Get free tree service quotes.
Ready to get quotes?
Tell us about the job in about 2 minutes. We'll match you with a vetted local pro and you'll hear back fast. Free, no obligation.