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- Costs – Find out what you might pay for tree services in Ottawa and keep it in mind when you call pros. We have that information here.
- FAQs – Before you plant new trees in the spring, see what trees thrive in the climate and which ones you might need to reconsider, along with the current rules and regulations of the city.
- Services – Talk to pros in the Ottawa area to learn more about planting, pruning and removing trees today.
How Much Do Tree Services Cost in Ottawa?
Anyone living in or near the Canadian capital knows that Ottawa is home to a humid climate with four very distinct seasons. Caring for trees throughout the changing weather each year can take up a lot of time, and hiring professionals with experience in tree care is a smart way to ensure that any property looks fantastic year-round.
How Much Does Tree Removal Cost?
Large, dying or dangerous trees can pose a significant threat to structures on any property, especially in the event of an ice storm, snow or strong winter winds, all of which are a possibility in Ottawa. Professionals can safely remove even the largest trees, and they can even chop up the trunk to use as firewood should the customer require that for around $625.
How Much Does Stump Removal Cost?
Removing a stump without professional assistance is certainly possible, but many property owners underestimate the time it takes without the proper equipment. Professionals will charge around $145 to use a large commercial grinder. It will eat away at the stump from the outside working in, and it often takes just a few minutes to complete.
Average Cost of Tree Care in Ottawa
Anyone growing fruit trees in Ottawa should have them pruned before spring when the tree is still dormant, and general trimming is also important for all kinds of trees. Unless the property owner is familiar with the various types of shears and the right cuts, it is often better to leave general tree maintenance to professionals with experience in the area. They will charge around $494 for their services, depending on the number of trees and shrubs that require maintenance.
Ottawa Tree Facts & FAQs
Like many Canadian destinations, Ottawa has warm summers and very cold winters, with the average temperature during winter being just 5 degrees Fahrenheit. The city is also humid and prone to substantial temperature changes on any given day, which can make tree maintenance and care seem confusing. This guide can offer tips on which trees are best for the area as well as all types of recommendations for planting, removal and growth in Ottawa.
Most Common Trees
Since they are typically the easiest to maintain, native trees are often the most popular options in Ottawa. While many introduced trees also grow well, the most common trees in Ottawa are:
- Blue beech (Carpinus caroliniana)
- Bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis)
- Balsam fir (Abies balsamea)
- Pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica)
Since Ottawa is located in Ontario, its official provincial tree is the Pinus strobus. Better known as the eastern white pine, this tree is native to much of North America and boasts long needle leaves as well as cones.
Because of Ottawa’s cold winters, most of the fruit trees that can grow successfully in the area are hardy varietals bred to withstand the temperatures. That doesn’t mean that gardeners are limited in their choices, however. Some of the many fruit trees that thrive in Ottawa include pears, apples, peaches, plums, nectarines and cherry trees.
Ottawa is home to a number of tall, old and historic trees, and many of them are more than 1,000 years in age, according to ring counts. One of the oldest may be the white cedar near the Niagara Escarpment that is approximately 1,316 years old and still living. This tree, along with many of its neighboring pines, exceed 120 feet in height.
Ottawa’s Tree Removal Regulations
Although the City of Ottawa takes great care to protect its tree canopy through acts like the Tree Inventory, property owners are still given a level of autonomy when it comes to their personal land. However, trees marked as distinctive do require a permit before they can be legally removed. Distinctive trees are those that have a diameter of more than 50 centimeters. When it comes to removing trees in Ottawa, it is best to handle the job in the autumn before the ground has frozen. This makes the removal process simpler, and it also allows the ground below to regrow grass before the following spring and summer.
Direct Energy is just one of several electricity providers in the region, but its recommendations for tree care, planting and maintenance are similar to what most other companies recommend. Property owners should never trim trees that have branches touching an overhead power line as this carries a major safety risk. Instead, calling the electricity provider means that a maintenance team can tackle the job as quickly as possible. In addition, Direct Energy recommends that property owners only plant short trees below power lines. Short, in this case, refers to any tree that will mature at 20 feet or less.
Choosing Easy-Maintenance Trees
Although aesthetics are certainly important when it comes to a property’s curb appeal, the level of maintenance required may also impact a property owner’s decision about which trees to plant. In Ottawa, the trees that will need the least amount of care are the ones that are ranked as close as possible to 5a, which is Ottawa’s plant hardiness zone rating. Trees ranked much higher or much lower aren’t suitable for the climate, and it will take more work for them to thrive.
Common Tree Pests and Diseases in the Region
While many trees have been able to grow successfully for hundreds of years in the area, there are a number of introduced pests, insects and diseases that can cause damage for local trees. Some of the biggest problems for trees in Ottawa include fire blight, emerald ash borer, pine shoot beetle, Jack pine budworm and winter browning in conifers.
Local Tree Services in Ottawa