Tree Trimming in Washington, NJ

What does tree trimming involve?

Tree trimming removes the branches a tree doesn't need and the ones that threaten your house. That means dead wood, branches that cross and rub, and limbs growing toward the roof. We thin crowded canopies so wind passes through, raise low limbs over driveways, and shorten long heavy branches that could snap. Every cut is made just outside the branch collar so the wound seals. We never top a tree, because topping leaves weak regrowth that breaks easily.

When do my trees need trimming?

Call for trimming when branches reach within a few feet of the roof or gutters, when you see dead limbs in the canopy, or when branches block the driveway or sidewalk. A mature shade tree usually benefits from pruning every three to five years. Trimming is also worth doing after a storm leaves split or hanging branches behind.

Why do overgrown trees cause problems?

Branches get heavier at the tips every year. Add a coating of ice or wet snow, and a long maple limb can break at the trunk and take part of the roof with it. Branches rubbing on shingles wear them down, and heavy shade keeps roofs damp enough to grow moss. Left alone, these problems end in property damage. A crew handling a limb that already came down in a storm is always a bigger job than pruning it ahead of time.

What affects the cost of tree trimming?

The price depends on how many trees need work, how tall they are, and how much wood comes out. Trees near the house or wires take longer because cut branches have to be lowered on ropes. Access matters too. A backyard tree that a crew has to climb costs more than one reachable from the driveway. Cleanup is always included.

Should I trim the tree or remove it?

Trimming is the right call when the tree is healthy and only certain branches are the problem. If more than a third of the canopy would have to come off, or the tree is already declining from rot or pests, pruning won't fix it. We'll tell you honestly when removal is the safer call.

Tree trimming questions

When is the best time to prune trees?

Late winter, while trees are dormant, is the best time for most pruning in northern New Jersey. You can see the branch structure clearly, and cuts heal quickly once spring growth starts. Oaks are best pruned in winter too, since fresh cuts in spring attract beetles that spread disease. Dead or dangerous branches can come out any time of year.

Will trimming hurt my tree?

Proper trimming doesn't hurt a tree. Problems come from bad cuts, flush cuts against the trunk, or removing too much at once. We take no more than about a quarter of a tree's live canopy in one visit, which lets it recover and keep growing normally.

Can you trim branches near wires?

We trim around the service wire running to your house. Branches near the main lines on the street have to be handled by JCP&L or its line-clearance crews, and we can show you how to request that.