Tree Service in Highlands, NJ
We're the local tree service for Highlands and Atlantic Highlands — from the Sandy Hook Bay bluff below Twin Lights and Bahrs Landing (2 Bay Avenue since 1917) to Mount Mitchill and the Municipal Harbor. Family-owned since 1987, an ISA Certified Arborist on staff, fully insured. Two distinct borough permit tracks — we file the right one.
Tree Service Highlands, NJ — Family-Owned Since 1987
Pro-Stump Tree Service
Highlands, NJ
Looking for tree service in Highlands, NJ? Pro-Stump Tree Service has worked this steep bayshore borough since 1987, taking down wind-broken eastern red cedars on the bluffs, removing salt-stressed black cherries in the Parkertown and Waterwitch sections, and rigging trees off slopes where no truck can reach. We hold NJ Licensed Tree Expert #200988 and are fully insured. Most Highlands calls involve one of three: a tree damaged by relentless bay wind, a removal on a steep bluff lot that has to be lowered by rope, or a coastal-flood-stressed tree near the water.
Highlands is defined by slope and exposure. The borough climbs the Navesink Highlands bluffs above Sandy Hook Bay, so many lots are steep enough that tree work is rope-and-rigging rather than bucket-truck work, and the eastern red cedars and black cherries that hold these hillsides take constant salt wind off the water. The town knows coastal punishment firsthand: Superstorm Sandy in 2012 flooded and damaged much of Highlands, and storm resilience has driven tree decisions here ever since. Removal is regulated under Chapter 22 (Ord. O-24-04, 2024), which requires a permit for any tree 6 inches DBH or greater measured at 4.5 feet, at a $25-per-regulated-tree fee. Last reviewed August 2026.
9,035
Residents Served
1987
Serving Since
8
Neighborhoods
8
Tree Species
Bluff & Bayshore Tree Care Challenges
8 dominant tree species grow in Highlands's Freehold sandy loam soils, each facing distinct threats from Monmouth County's weather patterns, root competition, and age-related structural decline. These are the issues our arborist diagnoses most frequently on Highlands properties.
- Highlands stacks its homes on the steep Navesink bluffs above Sandy Hook Bay — the Twin Lights bluff and the Parkertown blocks sit at extreme wind exposure, and mature eastern red cedars and black cherries need structured tree-risk evaluation before every nor'easter and hurricane season. Steep-slope rigging matters here in a way it doesn't on flat suburban lots
- Superstorm Sandy on October 29, 2012 pushed a ~10-foot storm surge through Highlands — Wikipedia documents that roughly 80% of homes and most businesses were severely damaged. Twelve years later, mature trees along the bay-facing streets are still showing crown decline from that saturation and salt intrusion
- Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor (built 1938–1940, 715-vessel capacity) sits below Mount Mitchill's 266-foot bluff — harbor-area salt spray degrades mature harbor-block canopy, and Bay Avenue and First Avenue lots need salt-tolerant replacement species when a specimen finally comes down
- Mount Mitchill (one of the highest headlands on the U.S. east coast south of Maine) creates a wind-and-slope microclimate on the Atlantic Highlands hillside — properties on the Scenic Overlook approach need crane-drop rigging almost every time, and the borough's Chapter 340 Section 340-8 permit process (with on-site inspection at 100 First Avenue Code Enforcement) needs to run first
- Chapter 340's up-to-$1,500-per-tree fines in Atlantic Highlands and Chapter 22's $25-per-tree fee in Highlands both raise the arborist-documentation-first stakes — nobody wants a fine because the paperwork didn't cover a co-dominant leader that was really two trees
- Emerald ash borer has killed mature ash across the Bayshore, including stands near the Henry Hudson Trail — standing dead ash on bluff-side lots becomes a structural-failure hazard within 2–3 years of infestation, and above the ferry route it's also a fire-risk consideration
- The Twin Lights Historic Site and Strauss Mansion Museum both anchor heritage-tree neighborhoods — heritage-tree preservation on their approach blocks is arborist-led assessment work, not chainsaw-over-the-fence work
Available in Highlands
Our Tree Services
No matter the scope, a single stump, a hazardous leaner, or a full land clearing project, Pro-Stump Tree Service has the equipment, certification, and experience to handle it.
Tree Removal
Safe, controlled tree removal in Highlands led by NJ Licensed Tree Expert #200988 with an ISA Certified Arborist on staff. Whether you have a dead ash, storm-damaged oak, or a tree threatening your home's foundation, our crew handles sectional dismantling, rigging, and complete debris cleanup. Fully insured with $3M liability coverage.
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Stump Grinding
Get rid of unsightly stumps. Our stump grinding service eliminates trip hazards and pest-attracting deadwood. We handle single stumps and entire lots, surface roots, grade restoration, and backfill included.
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Tree Trimming & Pruning
Keep your trees in peak condition with professional trimming from Pro-Stump Tree Service. Seasonal pruning programs, storm prep cuts, and structural training for young trees. NJ LTE #200988 + ISA Arborist on staff with 38+ years of hands-on experience.
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Tree Planting & Root Feeding
Invest in your property's future with expert tree planting from Pro-Stump Tree Service. Species selection guidance, proper installation techniques, and deep root fertilization programs that promote strong establishment.
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Tree Cabling
Structural support for at-risk trees. Our tree cabling service prevents branch failure, reduces storm damage risk, and extends the safe lifespan of mature trees. Assessed and installed under the supervision of NJ LTE #200988 and our ISA Certified Arborist.
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Christmas Tree Light Installation
Professional Christmas light installation on outdoor trees in Highlands. Our bucket trucks reach every branch, and we use commercial-grade LED lights. Full setup and post-season takedown included.
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Animal Tree Rescue
Cat stuck in a tree? Pro-Stump Tree Service provides animal tree rescue using climbing expertise and bucket truck access. We handle the rescue safely and gently, no harm to the animal or the tree.
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Emergency Tree Service
Rapid emergency tree response. Fallen trees, cracked limbs, and uprooted trunks, our insured crew handles it all. Call (732) 446-1104 any time for immediate emergency service.
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Land Clearing
Professional land clearing in Highlands for new construction, driveways, and property development. We clear trees, brush, stumps, and undergrowth on properties of any size. Grading and debris hauling included.
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Crane Tree Removal
Some trees can't be conventionally climbed. Our crane tree removal service handles massive, dangerous, or inaccessible trees with precision lifts. Zero ground impact, zero property damage, guaranteed.
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Commercial Tree Service
Professional commercial tree service. From HOA common areas to municipal properties, our crew delivers scheduled maintenance, hazard tree assessment, and storm damage response with full insurance documentation.
See Commercial Tree Service ServicesVerifiable License Numbers
NJ Licensed & ISA Arborist–Led Tree Care
New Jersey requires anyone advertising or performing tree care for compensation to hold an LTE (Licensed Tree Expert) license under the 2010 NJ Tree Expert and Tree Care Operators Licensing Act. Many "tree services" working in Highlands skip this requirement. We don't, and here are the credentials that back every job.
NJ Home Improvement Contractor
#13VH07323700
NJ Division of Consumer Affairs
NJ Licensed Tree Expert
#200988
NJ Board of Tree Experts
ISA Certified Arborist on Staff
On-Staff Credential
International Society of Arboriculture
Certified Treecare Safety Professional
CTSP #03722
Tree Care Industry Association
OSHA 30 Certified
30-Hour Safety
OSHA
Licensed Tree Care Operator
LTCO #767797
NJ DEP
NJ Business Registry
#NJTC768726
NJ Treasury
Traffic Safety Certified
Work Zone Safety
NJ DOT Approved
Public Works Certified
Municipal Contractor
NJ DCA Approved
Why this matters in Highlands: Under New Jersey's Tree Expert and Tree Care Operators Licensing Act (N.J.S.A. 45:15C-13 et seq., adopted 2010), it is unlawful to advertise or perform tree care services for compensation without an LTE license. Hiring an unlicensed tree service exposes property owners to liability and may void homeowner's insurance claims if damage or injury occurs. Pro-Stump's NJ LTE #200988 (Glenn Donnelly) and LTCO #767797 are both publicly verifiable.
What Tree Removal Costs in Highlands, NJ
Highlands pricing is driven by slope, access, and wind exposure. Ballpark numbers:
- 25-foot wind-broken red cedar on a bluff lot, rope access$700–$1,300
- 45-foot black cherry on a steep Waterwitch slope, full rigging$1,800–$3,000
- Coastal-flood-stressed tree removal near Sandy Hook Bay$900–$1,900
Stump grinding adds $150–$400 depending on diameter. We provide a written quote within 24 hours. The $25-per-tree permit fee is the borough's, not ours.
Common Local Tree Species
8 tree species dominate Highlands's landscape, each rooted in Collington loamy sand. Pruning timing, removal technique, and disease susceptibility differ by species, here are the ones our crews service most frequently.
Recent Project Photos
Professional tree work completed by our crew in Monmouth County and surrounding areas.
Wood chipper processing debris
How We Work
How Our Tree Service Works
You Call
Call (732) 446-1104 or submit our online form. We respond within 2 hours during business hours.
We Assess
Our NJ Licensed Tree Expert (#200988) and ISA Certified Arborist visit your property, evaluate the work, and deliver a written quote within 24 hours.
We Execute
Our insured crew arrives on schedule with professional-grade equipment. Most jobs complete in a single day.
We Clean Up
Every branch, chip, and stump grindings removed. Your property looks better than before we arrived.
24/7 Emergency Tree Service in Highlands & Atlantic Highlands
Storm-damaged trees in Highlands require immediate professional assessment, leaning trunks, hanging limbs, and uprooted root plates create ongoing hazards until removed. Pro-Stump deploys 3 emergency crews simultaneously during major events, reaching Highlands with 40-ton crane, bucket trucks, and sectional rigging equipment.
Emergency: (732) 446-1104Talk to a certified arborist about your Highlands property.
NJ Licensed Tree Expert #200988 • $3M insured • family-owned since 1987.
Verified Google Reviews
Chelsea Yi
“Glenn from Pro Stump Tree Service was AMAZING! Responsive, professional, and did outstanding work. Highly recommend.”
Kathleen Mcvay
“Pro-Stump tree service is the way to go. Fast, efficient and very clean. Would definitely use them again.”
Karen Skidmore
“A great company. Would definitely recommend Pro-Stump to anyone needing tree services.”
Highlands & Atlantic Highlands Tree Removal Permits
Two boroughs, two permit tracks — both on Route 36, both on Sandy Hook Bay, but they're separate municipalities with separate ordinances. Highlands Borough runs Chapter 22 (Environmental Protection, Tree Removal and Protection, amended by Ord. O-24-04, 2024), which requires a permit for any tree 6 inches DBH or greater measured at 4.5 feet, with a $25-per-regulated-tree fee and possible replacement plantings. Atlantic Highlands Borough runs Chapter 340 (Trees) — permit required for any tree 6 inches DBH or greater, with the Shade Tree Commission acting as reviewing authority under N.J.S.A. 40:64. Fines run up to $1,500 per tree. Section 340-8 is the permit process; Section 265-8 sets a 30-day removal deadline for hazard trees once Code Enforcement issues notice. Public right-of-way clearance in Atlantic Highlands is 8 feet over streets and sidewalks. Applications are filed at the Code Enforcement Office, 100 First Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, (732) 291-1444, and an on-site inspection is required before approval. Chapter 340 also requires any firm doing tree work in Atlantic Highlands to hold a Borough tree-work license — we carry the required credentials (NJ Licensed Tree Expert #200988, Certified Treecare Safety Professional #03722, Licensed Tree Care Operator #767797). We identify which borough your property falls under before we quote, and the permit itself remains the property owner's responsibility per our standard terms.
Permits in Highlands are the property owner's responsibility per our standard terms, but Pro-Stump Tree Service will walk you through the local requirements and provide the arborist reports and documentation your application needs, so your project stays in full compliance.
Highlands Service Area Map
Pro-Stump Tree Service proudly serves Highlands. We service the entire area shown below.
Need tree service in Highlands?
Free on-site estimate, written quote within 24 hours.
Tree Service FAQ for Highlands
By rope and rigging, not by truck. Many Highlands bluff lots are too steep for a bucket truck, so our climbers take the tree down in controlled sections and lower each piece by rope, protecting the slope and the homes downhill. Bay wind and salt make bluff trees like eastern red cedar and black cherry prone to breakage, so we assess the whole tree before we start. Removal needs a permit under Ord. O-24-04 at a $25-per-tree fee, which we prepare for you.
Yes — same crew, same 24/7 line for both. Highlands Borough (4,621 residents, on the Twin Lights bluff overlooking Sandy Hook) plus the adjacent Atlantic Highlands Borough (4,414 residents, around the Municipal Harbor at the base of Mount Mitchill). They border each other and share the Route 36 corridor and the SeaStreak Manhattan ferry route. We work the whole Bayshore every week.
A typical eastern red cedar, black cherry, or red oak on a normal lot runs $700–$2,800. Steep bluff-side removals (Twin Lights bluff in Highlands, Mount Mitchill approach in Atlantic Highlands) that require crane-drop rigging push into the $2,500–$5,000 range. Every quote is line-item, in writing, with the arborist report and insurance certificate before we start.
For anything 6 inches DBH or greater measured at 4.5 feet, yes. Chapter 22 (Environmental Protection, Tree Removal and Protection, amended by Ord. O-24-04, 2024) sets a $25-per-regulated-tree fee, and replacement plantings may apply per the ordinance. We prepare the paperwork and arborist assessment; the permit itself stays the property owner's responsibility.
Different track. Chapter 340 (Trees) requires a permit for any tree 6 inches DBH or greater, with the Shade Tree Commission acting as reviewing authority under N.J.S.A. 40:64. Fines run up to $1,500 per tree. Section 340-8 is the permit process — applications are filed at the Code Enforcement Office, 100 First Avenue (732-291-1444), and an on-site inspection is conducted before approval. Section 265-8 gives owners 30 days to remove a tree once Code Enforcement issues a hazard-tree notice. Chapter 340 also requires the firm doing the work to hold a Borough tree-work license, which we hold.
Yes — steep-slope work is a specialty. On the Highlands Twin Lights bluff and the Atlantic Highlands Mount Mitchill approach, we stage a 40-ton Terex Stinger crane from the street or driveway apron and drop sections rope-and-rigging style rather than ground-felling. The steep grade + bluff-edge setback makes the crane the safe move every time.
A lot. Wikipedia documents that Highlands took a ~10-foot storm surge on October 29, 2012 and roughly 80% of homes and most businesses were severely damaged. Trees that survived the flood are still showing the crown decline from saturation and salt intrusion 12 years on. Free hazard walk-through beats an emergency call after the next big blow.
For active hazards in either borough, our typical arrival is 60–90 minutes — 24/7/365. If a tree is on power lines, we coordinate directly with JCP&L before we cut.
Tree Service in Highlands & Surrounding Areas
In addition to Highlands, Pro-Stump Tree Service provides professional tree services to these neighboring communities in Monmouth County:
Get Your Free Estimate in Highlands
From Parkertown (Highlands) to Twin Lights bluff area (Highlands), our crew is ready. $3M insured. NJ Licensed Tree Expert #200988. 38+ years.
(732) 446-1104