Asian Longhorned Beetle infestations in Toronto cost homeowners between $600-$2500 per tree depending on size, location, and urgency—this comprehensive 2026 guide breaks down every price point, permitting rule, and prevention strategy you need before the beetle spreads to your maples.
What Is the Asian Longhorned Beetle and Why Should Toronto Homeowners Worry in 2026?
The Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB), scientifically Anoplophora glabripennis, is a wood-boring insect native to China and Korea that was first detected in Toronto in 2003. By 2026, the beetle has established satellite populations in Scarborough, North York, and parts of Mississauga, with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirming 1,847 new ALB-positive trees in the GTA between May 2023 and April 2025. Unlike Emerald Ash Borer, ALB attacks 29 native hardwood species—most notably Norway maple, sugar maple, birch, poplar, willow, and elm—making it a direct threat to 40 % of Toronto’s urban canopy. A single female beetle lays 35–90 eggs under bark each summer; larvae then tunnel for 1–2 years, destroying a tree’s vascular system until it dies and becomes a public-safety hazard. Early removal is critical: infested trees weaken within 12–18 months, dropping limbs and potentially crashing onto homes, vehicles, or pedestrians. Toronto’s 2026 budget allocated $14.3 million for ALB surveillance and removal, but CFIA rules require that ALL infested host trees on BOTH public and private land must be removed and chipped on-site—homeowners cannot treat, inject, or prune their way out of an ALB diagnosis.
2026 Toronto ALB Tree Removal Cost Table by Size
| Tree Size | DBH Range | Typical Species | ALB Quarantine Surcharge | Base Removal | Disposal & Chipping | Permit Fee | Total 2026 Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 10–30 cm | Birch, young maple | $150 | $295 | $125 | $0* | $570–$570 |
| Medium | 31–50 cm | Norway maple, elm | $200 | $495 | $175 | $330 | $1,200–$1,200 |
| Large | 51–75 cm | Sugar maple, willow | $250 | $795 | $225 | $330 | $1,600–$1,600 |
| Extra-Large | 76 cm+ | Heritage oak, elm grinding | $330 | $330 | $2,350–$2,350 |
Why Choose Toronto Tree Removal (TTR) for ALB Jobs in 2026?
- ISA Certified Arborists on every crew—minimum credential ISA Certified Arborist TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification)
- TCIA Member Company since 2011—adheres to the industry’s latest safety & training standards
- $5 Million Commercial Liability + WSIB Clearance supplied with every invoice; homeowner never holds the risk
- 15+ Years Local Experience removing 9,300+ ALB host-trees since the 2003 outbreak began
- 2-Hour Emergency Response inside the GTA; CFIA compliant quote delivered same day
- CFIA Wood Disposal Partner—no middle-man; chips delivered directly to approved bio-facility with trackable certificates
- Transparent Pricing Engine on our website: /tree-removal-cost-calculator/
Call to Action
Suspect ALB holes (round, 8–15 mm) or sawdust at the base of your maple? Don’t wait for branch dieback—every week matters. Call Toronto Tree Removal now at 647-558-1366 for a no-obligation inspection and detailed 2026 quote. We secure all permits, guarantee CFIA disposal, and back every job with our 100 % Satisfaction Promise.