Overgrown trees and shrubs that have gone years without maintenance need a different approach than routine trimming — often a gradual, multi-visit restoration rather than one aggressive cut. Restoration pruning typically costs $300 to $1,200 per tree.
Why You Can’t Fix Years of Neglect in One Cut
Removing too much canopy at once — sometimes called “topping” when done badly — stresses a tree severely and often triggers weak, fast regrowth that’s more hazardous than what you started with. A properly overgrown tree gets restored gradually, usually over two to three visits across a couple of years, removing a reasonable percentage of growth each time rather than trying to fix everything at once.
What Restoration Pruning Involves
- Removing deadwood and crossing limbs first
- Selectively reducing size over multiple visits rather than one aggressive cut
- Correcting weak structure that developed from years without maintenance
- Re-establishing appropriate clearance from the house, driveway, or property line
What to Expect on the First Visit
Expect a real conversation about what’s achievable in one visit versus what needs to happen over time, not a promise to fix everything immediately. We’ll explain the plan and timeline so you know what to expect at each stage.
Cost
Restoration pruning typically runs $300 to $1,200 per tree per visit, depending on size and how much correction is needed. Multi-visit plans are quoted as a whole during the initial assessment.
Call (631) 663-7940 for a free assessment of an overgrown tree or hedge anywhere in Islip.