- 519-324-7118
- centurytreeservice23@gmail.com
Reliable tree care for residential properties, lakefront homes, and rural land in and around Wheatley, Ontario. Century Tree Service is owner-operated by Devin Mills — fully insured, WSIB compliant, and focused on honest work, safe practices, and thorough results on every job.
Century Tree Service provides professional, owner-operated tree care to Wheatley and the surrounding communities along the Lake Erie north shore. Founded by Devin Mills, our company is straightforward in how we work: honest assessments, proper safety practices, care for your property, and a clean site when the job is finished. Devin handles every estimate personally and is present on every job — you always deal with the owner, not a rotating crew.
We offer the full range of tree services in Wheatley, including tree removal, trimming and pruning, stump grinding, emergency storm response, tree planting, and new growth training. Wheatley is a small, close-knit community on the north shore of Lake Erie within the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, about 12 kilometres east of Leamington. Known as the “Freshwater Fish Capital of the World,” it is home to one of the largest freshwater fishing ports on the Great Lakes. Founded in 1832 by Richard Wheatley — the town was originally called “Pegtown” — it has grown into a community where longtime families, seasonal visitors, and outdoor enthusiasts share a deep connection to the land and the lake.
When a tree is dead, diseased, or poses a safety risk, professional removal is the responsible choice. We use controlled rigging, sectional dismantling, and crane-assisted methods to remove EAB-killed ash, storm-damaged trees, and lakefront trees lost to shoreline erosion. Every job includes complete cleanup and site restoration.
Regular pruning keeps trees healthy, sound, and resilient through severe Lake Erie weather. We perform crown thinning, deadwood removal, clearance pruning, and canopy reduction for each tree. Wheatley’s Carolinian hardwoods have specific requirements, and proactive maintenance reduces wind loading and limb failure.
Stumps create hazards, attract wood-boring insects, and waste usable space. We grind them below grade and backfill with clean wood chips. Wheatley properties carry stumps from EAB removals, storm damage, and shoreline erosion — grinding them out eliminates hazards and opens the area for replanting.
Wheatley’s Lake Erie shoreline exposes it to severe storms that can bring down trees with little warning. The August 2023 storms that devastated nearby Harrow also impacted the north shore. We respond quickly to fallen trees and storm debris, and provide full documentation for insurance claims.
We handle species selection, site assessment, and aftercare to ensure every tree thrives. Wheatley’s Zone 7a Carolinian climate supports bur oak, hackberry, tulip tree, and sycamore. For lakefront properties, flood-tolerant and wind-resistant species are essential.
Young trees need early structural guidance to develop sound architecture and balanced canopies. Without it, co-dominant stems and narrow crotch angles become costly problems later. Wheatley’s long growing season means structural issues appear earlier and need prompt correction.
Owner-Operated, Every Job. Devin Mills conducts every estimate and is present for every job. You deal directly with the person accountable for the safety and quality of the work — no middlemen, no subcontractors.
Fully Insured and WSIB Compliant. Century Tree Service carries comprehensive commercial general liability insurance and full WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) compliance. We provide proof of insurance upon request and encourage every Wheatley property owner to require the same from any tree company.
Honest Pricing, No Surprises. Our quotes are detailed, transparent, and final. The price we quote is the price you pay. If unexpected conditions arise during a job, we explain the situation and let you decide how to proceed. No hidden charges, no upselling.
Complete Cleanup, Every Time. We remove all debris, rake the work area, and inspect the site before we leave. Our customers consistently mention the cleanup in their reviews — it reflects the standard we hold ourselves to on every property.
Based in Kingsville — Right Next Door. Century Tree Service is based in Kingsville, just minutes west of Wheatley. We know the Lake Erie shoreline, the soil conditions, the Carolinian species, and the weather patterns that shape tree health in this area. We serve Wheatley, Leamington, Kingsville, Essex, Harrow, and communities across Essex County and Chatham-Kent.
The Emerald Ash Borer arrived around 2002 and has killed the majority of untreated ash across southwestern Ontario. In Wheatley, dead ash remains standing on residential properties, roadways, and agricultural hedgerows — growing more brittle every passing season. Bark loosens, branches shed without warning, and trunks can snap in moderate winds. Given Wheatley’s significant Lake Erie exposure, dead ash near homes, driveways, and the harbour should be assessed and removed as a priority.
Wheatley’s Lake Erie frontage is its defining feature and greatest source of tree stress. Shoreline erosion has accelerated in recent years, stripping soil from root zones, weakening anchorage, and increasing the risk of windthrow. Even trees that appear healthy can be undermined below ground. High winds crossing the open lake hit Wheatley’s flat landscape with little resistance. Crown thinning, deadwood removal, and professional assessment of shoreline trees are the most effective tools for reducing sudden failure risk.
Wheatley Provincial Park protects one of Ontario’s finest stands of Carolinian forest, and the same rare species grow on private properties throughout the area. Carolinian hardwoods have specific care requirements that differ from species common elsewhere in Ontario. Oak and hickory should only be pruned during dormancy to reduce disease risk. Black walnut produces juglone toxic to surrounding plants, and sassafras and tulip tree both benefit from early structural training. We understand both, and apply the right practices for each.
Every project in our gallery represents real work completed by our team across Wheatley and Essex County. These are jobs done by our crew, on local properties, for real customers.
Tree removal in Wheatley typically ranges from $300 to $3,500 or more, depending on tree size, species, condition, and property access. Small trees under 25 feet generally cost $300 to $800. Medium trees between 25 and 50 feet run $800 to $1,500. Large trees over 50 feet can cost $1,500 to $3,500 or higher, especially on lakefront properties with soft ground, limited access, or proximity to structures and power lines. Century Tree Service provides free, no-obligation estimates so you know the exact cost before any work begins.
Wheatley falls within the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, which does not currently require a permit to remove a tree on private residential property. However, trees near Wheatley Provincial Park, Two Creeks Conservation Area, or other protected natural areas may be subject to provincial or federal protections, including the Species at Risk Act and the Migratory Birds Convention Act during nesting season (typically April through August). If your property borders a conservation area or protected habitat, consult your tree service provider before proceeding with removal.
Late winter through early spring — during dormancy — is the ideal pruning window for most Carolinian hardwoods found in the Wheatley area. This includes oaks, hickories, maples, and black walnut. Dormant pruning reduces stress, limits disease transmission, and supports vigorous spring growth. Deadwood removal and hazard pruning can be done safely at any time of year. Oak species should specifically not be pruned between April and August to reduce the risk of oak wilt, a fungal disease that can spread through fresh pruning wounds during the growing season.
Yes. Century Tree Service carries comprehensive commercial general liability insurance and full WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) compliance. We provide proof of insurance and WSIB clearance upon request before any work starts — and we strongly recommend every Wheatley property owner require the same from any tree service.
Yes. We provide emergency tree removal and storm damage response across Wheatley and the surrounding region. Lake Erie storms can bring down trees and large limbs without warning, and Wheatley's exposed shoreline position makes it particularly vulnerable. If a tree has fallen on your home, vehicle, or property, call us at 519-324-7118. We respond as quickly as conditions allow and provide documentation for insurance claims.
The Emerald Ash Borer has killed the vast majority of untreated ash trees across the region since arriving around 2002. If your ash tree is dead or in severe decline, professional removal is the safest course of action. Standing dead ash grows increasingly brittle and can fail without warning — a serious risk given Wheatley's exposure to high winds off Lake Erie. If your ash still has some live canopy, a professional assessment can determine whether treatment is viable or removal is the better path.
Homeowners and property managers trust us for reliable tree care, clear communication, and consistent results. We take pride in completing each job safely, efficiently, and with respect for every property we work on.
Whether you need a hazardous tree removed, a Carolinian hardwood properly pruned, storm damage addressed, or guidance on what to plant on your Lake Erie property, contact Century Tree Service today. Devin Mills handles every estimate personally, and there is never any pressure or obligation. Call us or fill out the form below — we respond the same day.
Fast response times • Same-day estimates available
