Common trimming jobs
- Roof and gutter clearance: branches at least 6–10 feet off the roof to cut down on gutter clogs, moss and squirrel highways.
- Deadwood removal: dead limbs are the ones that come down first in a storm.
- Crown thinning (storm prep): removing some interior branches lets wind pass through instead of turning the crown into a sail. That matters on sandy soil where trees uproot.
- Crown raising: lifting low limbs over driveways, sidewalks and play areas.
- Crown reduction: shortening a tree properly, the right alternative to topping.
- Service-line clearance: the pole-to-house wire is usually the homeowner's to keep clear. Main lines are PSEG's. Only line-clearance-qualified crews should work near energized wires.
Timing on Long Island
| Tree | Best window | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Oaks (red, pin, black, white) | October–February | March–September (oak wilt spore mats and beetles active, per NYSDEC) |
| Maples, birches | Late fall–early winter, or summer | Late winter–spring (heavy sap bleeding, harmless but messy) |
| Pines | Late winter–early spring | Hot, dry mid-summer, when fresh wounds attract bark beetles |
| Flowering trees (cherry, dogwood) | Right after bloom | Before bloom, which cuts off the flowers |
| Dead or hazardous limbs | Any time | — |
Trim, or remove?
Pruning can't fix a rotten trunk, a split main union, advanced beech leaf disease, or a pine killed by southern pine beetle. If more than about a quarter of the crown is dead, or there's decay at the base, trimming is usually money spent on a tree that's coming down anyway. Get it assessed, and compare the removal price.
Hurricane-season checklist (August–October)
- Look for dead limbs, cracks, new leans and mushrooms at the base.
- Clear limbs over the roof, driveway and bedrooms first.
- Thin dense crowns on big trees near the house.
- Photograph your trees now. It helps with insurance claims later.
Where we cover
Tree Trimming & Pruning quotes are available across Nassau and Suffolk. Permit rules and common trees differ by town. Start with yours:
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to trim trees on Long Island?
Late fall through winter (roughly November–February) for most trees, while they're dormant. For oaks, stick to October–February. It's easier to see structure, and it's less stressful for the tree. Dead or hazardous limbs can come off any time.
When should oaks NOT be pruned?
NYSDEC advises against pruning or wounding oaks from March through September, when oak wilt spore mats are present and the sap beetles that spread them are most active. If an oak is wounded in that window, seal the wound right away with water-based spray paint or wound dressing.
Is 'topping' a tree a good way to make it smaller?
No. Topping (cutting the whole top off to stubs) causes weak, fast regrowth and decay, and often ends in removal later. Ask for crown reduction instead: cutting back to properly sized side branches.
Can I trim my neighbor's branches that hang over my yard?
Generally you can trim overhanging branches back to the property line at your own expense, as long as you don't kill or seriously damage the tree. Talk to your neighbor first, and don't go onto their property without permission.
How much does tree trimming cost?
National ranges run about $80–$450 for a small tree, $150–$900 for a medium tree and $200–$1,800 for a large tree. Long Island pricing tends to land in the middle to upper part of those ranges because of labor rates and tight lots.
Related services
- Tree Removal: Dead, leaning, storm-damaged or just-in-the-way trees taken down safely, including crane work over houses and pools.
- Stump Grinding: Stumps ground 6–8 inches below grade so you can reseed, plant or pave. Usually $150–$500 a stump.
- Stump & Root Removal: Full extraction of the stump and main roots when you need to replant, build a patio or pour footings in the same spot.
- Emergency & Storm Tree Removal: A tree on the house, car, fence or driveway after a nor'easter or tropical storm, with help documenting it for insurance.
- Land & Lot Clearing: Wooded building lots, pool and driveway areas, and overgrown property cleared, with stumps ground or pulled and the permit rules sorted first.
