The street canopy is what makes Highland Park, and keeping it takes structural pruning rather than waiting for limbs to fail. Tree service in Highland Park, NJ is mostly preservation, lowered on ropes in narrow back yards.
Veteran-owned and family-run since 1993, across Middlesex County and three more. NJTC #806860 · LTCO #565 · Fully insured · Free written estimates · 24/7 dispatch at (732) 805-0609.
Preservation pruning is judgement work, which is why the license sits with a person, not a company. Peter Ahlert holds ours, operator license LTCO No. 565. Wayne's is registered as NJTC No. 806860, owned by Dylan Ahlert, and insured for liability and workers' compensation.
Highland Park is a dense borough of tree-lined streets with narrow back yards. The street canopy is what makes this town, and keeping it takes regular structural pruning rather than waiting for limbs to fail. Everything here is lowered on ropes, clear of the neighboring properties.
Why Highland Park Homeowners Call Us
Dylan Ahlert, owner, quotes every job personally
Structural pruning that preserves the street canopy
Rope lowering that protects narrow back yards
Preservation-first recommendations on street trees
Licensed Tree Care Operator (LTCO No. 565) on staff
Registered with the NJ Board of Tree Experts — NJTC No. 806860
Our Residential and Commercial Tree Services in Highland Park, NJ
Tree Removal
A leaning tree is not automatically dangerous — plenty of trees lean their whole lives. What matters is whether the lean is new, and whether the soil on the high side is cracked or lifting. That means the root plate is moving, and that tree comes down on its own schedule.
Deadwood is the first thing to come out. Dead limbs have no flex left in them, so they snap in wind that live wood rides out — and they tend to be directly over the paths, drives and patios people use.
Grinding the stump is not the same as grinding the roots. On a big tree the surface roots run a long way, and if you plan to build or pave over the area we deal with those too rather than leave them to rot and subside.
A new tree needs watering through its first two summers, not its first two weeks. Most replacements we are called out to look at did not die of disease — they died of a dry August in year two.
Making a site safe and clearing it fully are two different jobs. At two in the morning the first is what matters, and we would rather stabilize it properly and come back in daylight than rush the rest.
Highland Park's Rule Is 8 Inches — Not the 6 Its Website Still Says
Worth knowing before you call the Borough: Highland Park's tree ordinance was rewritten in 2020 and amended in 2023, but the Borough's own web page still carries the old figures. The code requires a permit for any tree of 8 inches or more measured 4.5 feet up — the website says six. The fee is $25, and that one permit covers up to ten trees over twelve months.
Replacement is scaled and it depends on who owns the property. On an owner-occupied home it is one tree back for an 8 to 20 inch removal, two up to 36 inches, three above that. On rental, investment or commercial property those numbers double. Where you cannot plant, the Tree Replacement Fund takes $600 per tree for owner-occupied homes and $850 otherwise — again, higher than the website's older figures. Dead, diseased and hazardous trees still need the permit but carry no replacement.
Permit required from 8 inches diameter — the Borough website's 6 inches is out of date
Fee: $25, covering up to ten trees over twelve months
Replacement doubles on rental, investment and commercial property
Tree fund: $600 per tree owner-occupied, $850 otherwise
Dead, diseased and hazardous trees: permit still needed, no replacement owed
Administered by the Department of Code Enforcement
What Highland Park customers say about Wayne’s Tree Service
4.9★★★★★Excellent · Based on 135 Google reviews
★★★★★
Waynes’s Tree Service did a phenomenal job on all the large trees on my property that needed large limbs removed, dead branches trimmed and a few totally cut down.
Joy Dybas · Verified Google Review
★★★★★
We have used Wayne’s tree service on 2 occasions. They were removing trees across the street from us and we asked for an estimate to remove 5 diseased trees and grind down the stumps.
Lynne Fine · Verified Google Review
★★★★★
Wayne’s was very fair, honest and reasonable. Came when promised, fast and efficient and left my property cleaner than when they arrived. Great service couldn’t be happier would recommend
Kyle · Verified Google Review
★★★★★
Excellent Service. Pete And His Crew Did An Outstanding Job With Their Work And Cleanup. Pete Is Very Thorough With His Communication And Had No Issues Scheduling The Work.
Kenneth Romeo · Verified Google Review
★★★★★
Dylan and his crew were professional, reliable and highly skilled. I would use them again if needed and highly recommend them.
Amelia Gubitosa · Verified Google Review
★★★★★
Great service, price. Guys were on time and left everything clean. Awesome job all around and definitely recommend.