Frequently Asked Questions
Learn About North Eastern Tree, Shrub & Lawn Care
Have a lawn care-related question? We have the answer! Check out our FAQs below to learn more about our company and services.
General & Company Questions
What tree and shrub care services does North Eastern Tree Care offer?
North Eastern Tree, Shrub, & Lawn Care offers a full range of tree care services and shrub care services, including tree pruning, tree disease treatment, insect control, tree fertilization, shrub pruning, shrub disease treatment, shrub fertilization, plant winterization, and ornamental tree and shrub services. We serve residential and commercial customers throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. North Eastern Tree, Shrub, & Lawn Care is fully licensed and insured. Our team includes ISA-certified professional arborists and DEC licensed applicators, so you can trust that all tree care services and lawn care treatments are performed safely and to the highest professional standards.
How do I find tree care services near me in NY, NJ, or CT?
If you're searching for tree care services near you in Westchester County, Fairfield County, or the surrounding tri-state area, North Eastern Tree Care is your local expert. We serve dozens of communities across New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey, including Scarsdale, Greenwich, Stamford, Chappaqua, Darien, Westport, Short Hills, and many more. Contact us for a free consultation.
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes! We offer free consultations for all of our tree care, shrub care, lawn care, and pest control services. Simply contact us and one of our certified arborists will assess your property and provide a recommendation at no cost.
Do you serve commercial properties?
Absolutely. In addition to residential customers, we provide tree care services, shrub care, and lawn care to commercial properties and municipal clients throughout NY, NJ, and CT. Our certified arborists work with property managers to maintain beautiful, healthy landscapes.
Tree Care & Tree Pruning
What is included in professional tree care services?
Professional tree care services include tree pruning, crown cleaning, disease and insect diagnosis and treatment, deep root fertilization, and organic tree health care. At North Eastern Tree Care, our ISA-certified arborists assess each tree individually and recommend a customized care plan to keep your trees healthy and structurally sound.
What types of trees do you provide pruning services for?
We provide tree pruning services for all tree species common to New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey — including large shade trees like Oaks, Maples, and Beeches; ornamental trees like Dogwoods, Japanese Maples, and Cherries; evergreens like Pines and Hemlocks; and fruit trees like Apples and Pears. Each species requires a different approach, which is why we only use ISA-Certified Arborists.
How do I know if my tree needs pruning?
Signs your tree needs pruning include dead or hanging branches, branches rubbing against your home or power lines, a dense canopy blocking light, crossing or crowded limbs, and visible disease or insect damage. If you're unsure, contact us for a free tree care consultation.
Will my tree recover quickly after being pruned?
Yes, when pruning is performed correctly and at the right time of year, trees recover well and typically show vigorous new growth the following spring. Our arborists follow ISA and ANSI standards on every cut to minimize stress and maximize the tree's ability to heal. Improper pruning — like topping — can cause lasting damage, which is why professional tree pruning services matter.
Tree Disease Treatment & Pest Control
What tree diseases are common in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut?
Common tree diseases in the NY/NJ/CT region include beech tree disease (beech leaf disease and beech bark disease), oak wilt, anthracnose, fire blight, boxwood blight, cedar apple rust, and various fungal infections. Our tree disease treatment programs are designed to diagnose and treat these conditions before they cause permanent damage.
What is beech tree disease and can it be treated?
Beech tree disease refers to two serious conditions affecting American beech trees: beech leaf disease, caused by a nematode that distorts and darkens leaves, and beech bark disease, which results from a scale insect and fungal combination. Both can be deadly if untreated. Our certified arborists provide tree disease treatment plans tailored to the severity of the infection and the tree's overall health.
What insects do you treat for, and how do you protect beneficial pollinators?
We treat for a wide range of damaging insects including hemlock woolly adelgid, scale insects, emerald ash borer, pine bark beetles, spotted lanternfly, winter moth, and Japanese beetles. We use an integrated pest management approach with organic and targeted controls specifically chosen to eliminate the pest while preserving beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs that help your garden thrive.
What is the Spotted Lanternfly and should I be concerned?
The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive pest that has spread aggressively throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. It feeds on over 70 plant species and can seriously weaken or kill trees, shrubs, and grapevines. We offer Spotted Lanternfly control treatments to protect your property. If you see one, report it and contact us immediately.
Ornamental Tree & Shrub Services
What are ornamental trees and shrubs?
Ornamental trees and shrubs are plants grown primarily for their aesthetic qualities — including flowering trees, decorative conifers, topiaries, hedges, and specimen shrubs. Common examples in our region include Dogwoods, Japanese Maples, Boxwoods, Hollies, Azaleas, and Rhododendrons. These plants add significant value and beauty to a property but require specialized care to thrive.
Do you offer ornamental tree and shrub services in NY, CT, and NJ?
Yes. Our ornamental tree and shrub services include pruning ornamental trees and shrubs, disease treatment, fertilization, and plant health care programs tailored specifically to decorative plantings. We serve communities throughout Westchester County, Fairfield County, and northern New Jersey.
How does pruning ornamental shrubs differ from pruning large shade trees?
Pruning ornamental shrubs focuses on enhancing bloom production, maintaining a natural or formal shape, and removing dead wood — all while being careful not to cut off next season's flower buds. Large shade tree pruning focuses more on structural integrity, canopy management, and safety clearance. The techniques, timing, and goals are quite different, which is why our arborists treat each plant as an individual.
How soon after pruning will my ornamental trees and shrubs bloom again?
For spring-blooming ornamentals like Lilacs, Azaleas, and Forsythia, pruning is done right after they finish flowering so the plant has time to set buds for the following year. Pruning these plants at the wrong time can delay or eliminate next year's blooms. Our team prunes each species at the scientifically correct time to protect and maximize flowering.
Shrub Care & Shrub Pruning
What shrub care services do you offer?
We offer comprehensive shrub care services including shrub pruning, shrub trimming, shrub disease treatment, shrub fertilization, and plant winterization. Whether you have a formal hedge, a flowering border, or native shrubs, our team provides the care your plants need to thrive throughout the year.
Do you offer shrub trimming near me in Westchester, Fairfield County, or NJ?
Yes! We provide shrub trimming and shrub pruning services throughout Westchester County NY, Fairfield County CT, and northern New Jersey. Our service areas include Scarsdale, Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, Westport, Short Hills, and many surrounding towns. Contact us to schedule shrub care services near you.
Do you offer bush and shrub trimming for hedges and formal plantings?
Yes. We specialize in bush and shrub trimming for all types of hedges, topiaries, and formal plantings. Whether you need a crisp, formal shape maintained throughout the season or a more naturalistic pruning approach, our certified team has the expertise to keep your hedges and borders looking their best.
Can over-pruning damage my shrubs?
Yes. Over-pruning — removing too much of the plant at once — can stress shrubs, leave them vulnerable to pests and disease, and reduce or eliminate flowering for a season or more. Our shrub pruning services follow industry best practices to ensure your plants are properly cared for, never over-cut, and set up for healthy, vigorous regrowth.
Shrub Fertilization & Tree Fertilization
Why is tree and shrub fertilization important?
Trees and shrubs in developed landscapes often lack the natural nutrients they'd receive in the wild, since leaf litter and organic matter are regularly removed. Tree and shrub fertilizer programs replenish essential nutrients, strengthen root systems, improve disease resistance, and promote vigorous, healthy growth. We use natural and organic fertilizer options that are safe for your family, pets, and the environment.
What type of fertilizer do you use for trees and shrubs?
We primarily use natural and organic fertilizer products, including organic soil enhancers, custom nutrient blends based on soil testing, mycorrhizae root enhancers, and organic bio-stimulants like sea kelp and natural sugars. These are injected directly into the root zone for maximum effectiveness. For trees under severe stress, we may use a targeted rescue treatment before transitioning back to an organic program.
Do I need tree and shrub fertilizer if I already fertilize my lawn?
Yes — and this is a very common misconception. Lawn fertilizer is formulated specifically for grass, with high nitrogen for quick blade growth. Trees and shrubs have completely different nutritional needs focused on root strength and structural health. In fact, trees growing in lawns often compete with grass for nutrients, making deep-root tree and shrub fertilizer even more critical for their long-term health.
What is a soil test and why does it matter for my trees and shrubs?
A soil test is a scientific analysis that identifies exactly what nutrients your soil is lacking — including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements — as well as your soil's pH level. Without a soil test, fertilizer applications are just guesswork. With one, our arborists can build a precise, custom tree and shrub fertilizer program that targets your landscape's specific deficiencies for the best possible results.
Lawn Care, Lawn Fertilization & Organic Lawn Care
What lawn care services do you offer?
We offer a full range of lawn care services including lawn fertilizer service, organic lawn care, weed control, lawn aeration, and lawn overseeding. Our goal is to build a thick, healthy lawn using the safest and most effective products available, tailored to your property's unique needs.
What is the difference between your organic lawn care program and your standard lawn fertilizer service?
Our standard lawn fertilizer service uses the best conventional and natural products to deliver targeted nutrition on a scheduled basis. Our organic lawn care program goes further — it's a complete holistic management system that includes organic soil enrichment, organic fertilization, natural weed control, natural pest management, aeration, and overseeding. The organic program is specifically designed to build long-term soil health and eliminate dependency on synthetic inputs over time.
How long does it take to see results with organic lawn care?
Organic lawn care builds soil health gradually, so it typically takes one to two full growing seasons to see the full transformation — a noticeably thicker, greener, and more drought-resistant lawn. Many customers see meaningful improvement within the first season. Unlike synthetic fertilizers that produce a quick flush of growth, organic results are lasting because they're driven by improved soil biology, not a temporary chemical boost.
Is organic lawn care available near me in NY, CT, or NJ?
Yes! We offer organic lawn care services throughout Westchester County NY, Fairfield County CT, and northern New Jersey. Our local, family-owned team is ready to help you transition to a safer, greener lawn. Contact us for a free consultation and we'll assess your property and build a program that works for you.
When should I fertilize my lawn in New York or Connecticut?
In the NY/CT/NJ region, the best times to fertilize your lawn are early fall (September/October), late fall before the ground freezes (November), and a light application in spring (April/May). For cool-season grasses common in the Northeast — like Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Ryegrass — fall fertilization is by far the most important window. Our lawn fertilizer service handles all the timing so you never have to guess.
What grass types do you work with in the Northeast?
The most common grass types in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey are cool-season grasses, including Tall Fescue, Fine Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Perennial Ryegrass. Each has slightly different fertilization, aeration, and overseeding needs. Our lawn care specialists identify your grass type as part of the initial assessment and tailor your program accordingly.
Plant Winterization
What is plant winterization and why is it important?
Plant winterization is the process of preparing trees, shrubs, and other plants for the harsh winter months in NY, CT, and NJ. Our primary treatment is a professional anti-desiccant and deer repellent spray — an organic, non-toxic application that forms a protective waxy layer on leaves and needles to lock in moisture and deter deer. We also offer installation of physical plant covers and burlap wraps for more delicate ornamentals.
Which plants benefit most from winterization services?
Plants most at risk from winter damage include broadleaf evergreens like Rhododendrons, Boxwoods, Hollies, and Azaleas, as well as newly planted trees and shrubs whose root systems aren't yet fully established, ornamental trees with marginal cold hardiness, and any plants exposed to strong winter winds or road salt spray. Our team will assess your property and recommend the right approach for each plant.
Does your winterization spray also protect against deer?
Yes — this is one of the unique advantages of our plant winterization service. Our anti-desiccant spray is a two-in-one organic treatment that protects your evergreens from winter burn while also making your shrubs and trees undesirable to hungry deer. In the NY/CT/NJ region, deer browse pressure is significant in winter when other food sources are scarce, making this dual protection especially valuable.
When should I schedule plant winterization?
Plant winterization should be scheduled in late fall — typically October through November in New York and Connecticut — after the first hard frost has signaled dormancy but before the deep cold of winter sets in. We recommend contacting us in early fall to get on our schedule before the busy season.
Can you winterize newly planted trees and shrubs?
Absolutely. Newly planted trees and shrubs are among the most vulnerable to winter damage because their root systems haven't yet had time to fully establish. Winterization for new plantings is especially important in the first one to two winters after installation. Our team will assess each plant and apply the appropriate protection to give your new landscape investments the best possible chance of thriving.
Tick, Mosquito & Pest Control
Do you offer tick and mosquito control in NY, CT, and NJ?
Yes. We offer comprehensive tick and mosquito control treatments for residential and commercial properties throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Our treatments target areas where ticks and mosquitoes breed and rest, dramatically reducing their populations on your property throughout the season.
How many tick and mosquito treatments do I need per season?
Most properties benefit from a series of treatments spaced throughout the active season — typically spring through fall — to maintain effective population control. Ticks and mosquitoes can reinfest from neighboring properties, so regular treatments are more effective than a single application. We'll build a schedule based on your property's size, landscape type, and level of concern.
Do you offer deer repellent treatment?
Yes. We provide professional deer deterrent treatments to protect your trees, shrubs, and garden plantings from deer browse damage. Our deer repellent treatments use proven formulas that are safe for plants and the environment, applied on a regular schedule to maintain year-round effectiveness.
North Eastern Tree, Shrub, & Lawn Care is a family-owned and operated full service tree, shrub and lawn health care company servicing New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut since 1996.

