Trimming jobs we get quotes for
Deadwooding
Removing dead limbs from oaks and maples before they drop on the driveway. The most common job on mature Bergen County trees.
Crown raising
Lifting low limbs off the roof, the driveway, the sidewalk, or the neighbor's gutters. Towns require clearance over sidewalks and streets.
Crown thinning & reduction
Letting wind through a dense canopy and reducing the length of over-extended limbs so they survive the next nor'easter.
Cabling & bracing
Steel or synthetic supports for split-prone trees (multi-stem maples, old beeches) so you can keep them safely.
Hedges, arborvitae & ornamentals
Privacy screens, Japanese maples, crabapples, dogwoods. Smaller equipment, smaller price.
Storm-proofing before fall
A walk-through of your big trees in late summer, with the weak limbs taken out before storm season.
Tree trimming cost in NJ (2026)
| Job | Typical NJ price |
|---|---|
| Ornamental or small tree, under 30 ft | $150 – $400 |
| Mature shade tree, 30 – 60 ft | $450 – $700 |
| Large tree over a house, bucket truck or climbing | $800 – $1,500+ |
| Cabling (per cable, installed) | Quoted per tree |
Ranges are published 2026 North Jersey industry figures (homeyou.com NJ 2026 trimming data and NJ tree company guides), not quotes from this site. Street trees are the town's; do not hire trimming for the tree between the sidewalk and the curb without checking with your DPW or Shade Tree Commission.
Trimming vs. removal
A healthy tree with one problem limb needs pruning, not removal. Removal is the right call when more than about a third of the crown is dead, when the trunk is cracked or hollow, when fungus is growing at the base, or when the tree is a dead ash. A good estimator will tell you which you have; if the first company that visits says every tree needs to come down, get a second quote.
Pruning is also the cheaper way to deal with your town's rules: in Teaneck, Hackensack, Ridgewood and most Bergen towns, pruning needs no permit, while removing a tree over the diameter threshold does, and may require replacement trees. See permits by town.
How it works
- Tell us about the job. Your town, what you need, and a photo if you have one. Takes about a minute.
- We match you with a local tree pro. An independent Bergen County tree care company that is registered with the NJ Board of Tree Experts and insured, and that actually serves your town.
- Get a free on-site quote. The company contacts you directly, looks at the tree and gives you a written price. No obligation, and you deal with them from there.
Pruning questions
How much does tree trimming cost in NJ?
Published 2026 figures for North Jersey put a typical trimming job at roughly $450 to $700 for a mature tree, with small ornamentals from about $150 and very large trees over a house, trimmed from a bucket truck or by climbing, running $1,000 or more. Pricing is usually per tree and by the hour for a crew.
When should trees be pruned in New Jersey?
Late winter (February to early April) is best for most shade trees: the structure is visible, cuts heal fast in spring, and oak wilt risk is lowest. Do not prune oaks from April through October. Dead wood can be removed any time. Spring-flowering trees (dogwood, cherry, magnolia) are pruned right after they bloom.
Can I trim my neighbor's branches that hang over my yard?
In New Jersey you may generally trim branches back to the property line at your own expense, as long as you do not kill or seriously damage the tree. You cannot go onto their property or cut the trunk. For big limbs it is worth a conversation and a shared quote.
Is topping a tree a good idea?
No. Topping (cutting the main limbs back to stubs) produces weak, fast-growing shoots that break in storms and shortens the tree's life. Reputable NJ tree companies will recommend crown reduction or thinning instead. A company that offers to top your maple is a red flag.