Expert Arborist Reports
in the Greater Toronto Area
URBAN FORESTRY PERMITS FASTER
Our team of expert arborist consultants understand the complexities of urban forestry regulations in the Greater Toronto Area. We streamline the permit application process, ensuring you get the necessary approvals quickly and efficiently.
With years of experience navigating municipal bylaws and regulations, we can help you:
- Assess your property’s tree inventory
- Expedite the approval process
- Prepare comprehensive arborist reports
- Submit accurate and complete permit applications
- Liaise with city officials on your behalf
OUR SERVICES
Arborist reports
Arborist Reports
An Arborist Report shows what a tree expert finds. These reports can be used for many things. They can help you get a building permit. They also check if trees are healthy, safe, or if they need care. Our reports give clear details about your trees. We explain what the trees need to stay strong and safe. This helps you make good choices and follow local rules. With our Arborist Reports, you’ll know how to take care of your trees and protect them during projects.
Tree Protection Plans
Tree protection plans
A Tree Protection Plan helps keep trees safe during building projects. Our arborists make a plan to show where trees are and how close they are to work areas. We explain how to protect roots, branches, and trunks. These plans keep trees healthy and strong. They help you follow local rules and protect trees during construction.
Butternut Health Assessments
Butternut health assessments
We offer specialized assessments for Butternut trees, evaluating their health and providing conservation strategies for this endangered species.
Site Monitoring
Site Monitoring
Arborist Site Monitoring helps keep trees safe during construction. Many towns require this to make sure trees don’t get damaged by accident. Our arborists check trees while crews are working nearby. If roots must be damaged, we prune them following best arboricultural practices to help the tree recover. We look for harm to roots, trunks, or branches and make sure trees stay healthy and strong. With site monitoring, we protect trees during building projects.
Tree Protection hoarding
Tree Protection hoarding keeps trees safe during construction. This hoarding is usually a sturdy fence placed around the tree. It protects the roots, trunk, and branches from damage. Towns usually have specifications detailing how to install the hoarding. We know and follow these rules to make sure it meets your local standards.
Tree Protection hoarding
Tree Risk Assessments
Tree risk assessment
Our arborists are TRAQ certified. TRAQ stands for “Tree Risk Assessment Qualification”. It’s a program by the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture). This means they know how to check trees for risks. With this training, they learn how to find weak branches and check tree health. They look for any signs that could be unsafe. When we check your trees, we use simple steps to look for danger. Our goal is to keep your property safe and your trees healthy. We give you all the information you need. With a TRAQ-certified arborist, you get expert advice to keep your trees safe and strong.
SEE THE FOREST, SEE THE TREES
Moving Your Projects Forward
Nowhere is it written that urban development must come at the expense of our natural environment. Or, that development must stop to protect the trees. Our mission is to simplify urban forestry regulatory compliance, so that you can get on with your construction projects without compromising the health of our valuable urban forests. We are committed to balancing progress and environmental stewardship, ensuring that our clients can achieve their development goals without unnecessary delays or complications.
Our business arose from the frustration faced by our clients with the complex, expensive, and lengthy building permit process, particularly due to tree protection bylaws. These by-laws are necessary but bewildering hurdles that can delay projects and adds costs that are often avoidable. We offer a simplified, efficient solution for construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Focusing on Individual Trees
While we see the forest, we never lose sight of the trees. Each tree is unique, with its own needs and challenges. Our detailed assessments consider factors like species, age, health, and location. This meticulous attention to individual trees allows us to provide targeted care and management strategies that benefit both the tree and its surroundings.
MEET CLAYTON
Clayton is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist with nearly two decades of experience in arboriculture and forestry silviculture.
Dedicated to balancing urban development with nature preservation, he has worked in both the wild forests of British Columbia and the urban forests of the GTA.
After gaining field experience in silviculture, he studied Urban Forestry at Humber College while serving as head climber and foreman at Westwood Tree Care in Burlington. He then honed his consulting skills with the Davey Resource Group in Toronto and Hamilton.
His hands-on experience provides a unique perspective on urban forestry challenges, allowing him to develop effective solutions. With a lifetime goal of planting one million trees by hand, he is already halfway there.
OUR BLOG
- Mastering Tree Protection Zones: A Practical Guide to Tree Longevity After Construction
About roots and soil health When tree protection fails You may have seen this happen: A construction project wraps up, the tree protection zones (TPZs) are dismantled, and everything looks great. The protected… Read more: Mastering Tree Protection Zones: A Practical Guide to Tree Longevity After Construction - Tree Protection Guide for Toronto Construction Projects, 2025
Expert Guide to Protecting the GTA’s Urban Forest During Construction “The future of sustainable and inclusive cities will surely depend on how we tend to and protect our urban trees.”World Economic Forum ,… Read more: Tree Protection Guide for Toronto Construction Projects, 2025 - Why Tree Preservation is Important in Urban Construction: A Guide for Toronto Designers and Developers
Preserving trees enriches communities, improves air quality, and adds lasting beauty to urban areas. 🌳✨ Construction is hard on trees. It’s an unfortunate reality. That’s why tree preservation has become such a hot… Read more: Why Tree Preservation is Important in Urban Construction: A Guide for Toronto Designers and Developers - How to Choose the Right Tree Protection Method to Protect Trees on Construction Projects
When urban construction projects intersect with nature, the trees often suffer. Ensuring the best tree protection is essential—not just for compliance with urban forestry regulations, but for safeguarding long-term environmental health. High-quality tree… Read more: How to Choose the Right Tree Protection Method to Protect Trees on Construction Projects
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY…
“Gray Matter Forestry to assist in preparing an arborist report for a municipally owned project which had a few sensitive trees to address. Clayton was extremely helpful and expedited all work as this was time sensitive. The report was extremely detailed and provided us with the exact information required to move forward with construction. I would highly recommend Gray Matter Forestry for any arborist needs.“
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Derek Meigs
Senior Project Manager
Defaveri Group
“Gray Matter Forestry offers exceptional services with a deep focus on sustainability and professionalism. Their expertise in forestry management is evident from the start, with a team that is knowledgeable and committed to high-quality results. The customer service is top-notch—friendly, responsive, and always willing to provide helpful advice. If you’re looking for reliable, eco-conscious forestry services, Gray Matter Forestry is a standout choice!“
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
George R.
“Clayton is very professional and knowledgeable. I enjoyed working with him for all arborist reports and other considerations.“
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Babak Shajari
CONTACT US
Expert Arborist Reports in the Greater Toronto Area
cONTACT US
Gray Matter Forestry Consulting
COMPANY
FOLLOW US
Designed with WordPress