Resources · Tree care articles

Forty years of NJ trees, written down.

Practical, locally-relevant tree care articles from Billy & Kyle Disch — covering hazard assessment, NJ-specific pests, storm response, insurance claims, and what to ask before you hire anyone.

Snow-laden tree with major split union — classic structural failure

Hazard Assessment

5 signs your tree needs to come down

Cracked unions, fungal conks, new lean, dead canopy, trunk cavities — what each one means and when it’s a removal trigger versus something we can save with cabling or pruning.

By Billy Disch·7 min read

Disch GMC chip truck on a residential job

Pricing

Tree removal cost in Central NJ: 2026 guide

Honest 2026 pricing ranges, the 6 factors that move price up or down, what should make a quote drop, and the red flags that mean you’re about to be scammed.

By Billy Disch·8 min read

Hiring Guide

7 questions to ask before hiring a tree service

The 7 questions that separate licensed Central NJ tree services from the storm chasers and uninsured cut-rate crews. LTCO, COI, references, and what to do with the answers.

By Billy Disch·6 min read

Disch climber roped up in a residential hardwood

Year-Round Care

When to prune oaks in New Jersey

Pruning oaks in NJ between April and October risks oak wilt — the disease that kills mature oaks in a single season. Why November-February is the only safe window.

By Billy Disch·6 min read

Tree Health

Emerald Ash Borer in Central NJ: ID & removal

If you have ash trees in Middlesex, Somerset, or Union County, EAB is here. The 4 signs of infestation, why most ashes can’t be saved, and what dead ashes do to removal pricing.

By Billy Disch·6 min read

Pest Management

Spotted lanternfly in NJ: protecting your trees

SLF is now in all 21 NJ counties. Identification by life stage, what trees they actually damage, and which controls work versus the home remedies that don’t.

By Kyle Disch·6 min read

Snow-laden tree limb fallen across a car

Storm Response

First 72 hours after a nor’easter

What to do (and not do) in the first 72 hours after a storm brings down a tree. Insurance, safety, contractor scams, and the right triage order when multiple trees are damaged.

By Billy Disch·6 min read

Insurance

Tree damage insurance claims: what’s covered

When does homeowners insurance pay for tree damage in NJ? The 4 scenarios that ARE covered, the 3 that aren’t, and the documentation that wins claims.

By Billy Disch·7 min read

Bucket truck tree removal job — stump grinding follows

Stump Care

Stump grinding vs stump removal

The actual difference between grinding and removal — what each costs, what each leaves behind, and how to choose for your Central NJ yard. Plus the species that aggressively re-sprout.

By Kyle Disch·5 min read

Disch crane lifting a massive trunk section

Behind the Crew

Crane-supported tree removal: what to expect

Why we use crane support for some Central NJ tree removals, what it adds to the cost, and what your day-of looks like — from morning prep to cleanup.

By Billy Disch·5 min read