Tree Trimming & Pruning in New York

New York City: street trees are city property. A permit from NYC Parks is required for any work on or within 50 feet of a street tree, including pruning and removal, and removal without permission can carry heavy fines. Outside NYC, many towns and villages on Long Island and in Westchester have their own tree ordinances that apply to private property; check with your municipality.

London planetree: very common NYC street tree; large and generally tough Pin oak and red oak: large; susceptible to oak wilt Norway maple: invasive, shallow-rooted, prone to girdling roots and storm failure

Winter: Ice and snow; good time for removals on firm ground April–July: Avoid pruning oaks where oak wilt is present

Early or late snow on leafed-out trees breaks limbs across the state.

Freezing rain upstate can cause widespread canopy loss.

Emerald ash borer, oak wilt, and hemlock woolly adelgid threaten key species.