Bedford Hills, NY
Tree Care
Tree Care
Trailblazer Turf & Timber provides complete tree care across Westchester County, Orange County and the Hudson Valley, NY — tree removal, trimming and pruning, stump grinding, storm damage cleanup, mulch and seasoned firewood. The company is family-owned, has worked these towns for more than 20 years, and was formerly known as Evarts Tree Service. Owner Frank Jaros walks and prices every job before work starts.
Estimates Are 100% FreeCall (914) 414-9300Not every tree needs the same treatment, and not every tree needs to come down. We look at the tree, the site and what you actually need before recommending anything — removal is the last option we quote, not the first. Whether it's a hazardous takedown over the house, routine pruning or cleanup after a storm, the same crew handles the work from the first cut to the final rake-down.
Tree Removal
When Does a Tree Actually Need To Come Down?
A tree usually needs removal when you see a dead or thinning crown, cracks in the trunk, mushrooms or fungal growth at the base, root damage, or a new lean after a storm — especially close to the house, driveway or power lines. We evaluate all options first, and if pruning can save the tree, we say so. When removal is the right call, a standard job includes the takedown, limb and log haul-away, and cleanup of the work area; trees over roofs and wires come down in rigged sections rather than being felled whole. The price depends on the tree's size, access for equipment, proximity to structures, and whether the stump and debris go too — we explain every factor before you agree to anything.
If a tree has come down on your house or driveway in a storm, call (914) 414-9300. Stay away from any tree touching a power line and call your utility first — then call us.
Tree Pruning
What Does Proper Pruning Do For a Tree?
Pruning removes the limbs most likely to fail in a storm, clears branches away from roofs and driveways, and keeps a tree structurally sound — crown reduction, crown thinning, crown raising and deadwooding, each used where it fits. In the Hudson Valley most species are best pruned in late winter while dormant, though deadwood and hazards should never wait for the season. One thing we do not do is top trees: cutting stems back to stubs produces weak regrowth and rot, and a proper crown reduction achieves the same goal without ruining the tree.
We handle residential and commercial tree-pruning projects in Pound Ridge, Banksville, Bedford Hills, Chappaqua, Mt Kisco, Armonk, Harrison, Purchase, White Plains, Greenwich, Stamford, and New Canaan.
Tree Protection
How Do You Keep a Healthy Tree Healthy?
The trees worth protecting are the ones you cannot replace in a lifetime. Construction is the most common killer: damage to roots, trunk or crown during building work causes stress and slow decline that shows up years later. Before you build, we work with your landscape designer or builder to decide which trees can be kept, which should go, and how to protect the keepers while the machines are on site. We also install tree lightning protection systems — copper conductors with flexible connections that carry a strike to ground without harming the tree, fitted so the tree can keep growing.
Stump Grinding
What Happens To the Stump — and the Spot It Leaves?
Grinding removes the visible stump and upper root flare below lawn level, leaving chips that can be hauled away or used as mulch. Once the hole is backfilled with topsoil, the spot can be reseeded or replanted and the stump is gone for good. Stump grinding is quoted separately from removal, because not every customer wants it — and we happily grind old stumps left by previous owners, DIY removals or other contractors. Most residential stumps are ground in under an hour once the machine is on site.
Mulch
Why Mulch — and Why Does the Depth Matter?
A properly mulched bed suppresses weeds without chemicals, holds soil moisture through summer, insulates roots through Hudson Valley winters, and gives beds a clean, finished edge. Much of our mulch is chipped from our own tree work rather than bought in. Depth is the part most people get wrong: two to three inches over the bed is right, and piling mulch against a tree trunk — the 'mulch volcano' — traps moisture against the bark and slowly kills the tree. We keep the root flare visible on every tree we mulch, measure your beds at the estimate, and deliver or install the correct amount instead of a guess.
Firewood
Why Does Seasoned vs. Green Firewood Matter?
Green wood is heavy with water — it is hard to light, smokes, burns cool and coats your flue with creosote, the cause of chimney fires. Seasoned wood catches easily and gives the hot, clean burn a fireplace or stove is designed for. Our firewood is salvaged from our own pruning and removal projects, then split and seasoned — trees from this area heating homes in this area, instead of going to a dump. The logs are uniform and easy to burn. Supply is what our tree work produces, so order before the season; call (914) 414-9300 to ask what's available.
One crew for the whole job —
from the first cut to the final cleanup.
Frank walks every property himself and gives you a written price before work begins. Estimates are free, with no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Care
How do I know if a tree on my property is dangerous?
Watch for a dead or thinning top, cracks in the trunk, mushrooms or fungal growth at the base, lifted soil around the roots, or a lean that is new or getting worse — especially near the house, driveway or power lines. If you see any of these, have the tree looked at; not every warning sign means removal, but all of them mean it is worth a professional opinion.
A tree fell during a storm — what should I do first?
Stay out of any room the tree has hit and keep people and pets clear. If the tree is touching a power line, do not go near it — call your utility first. Then call us at (914) 414-9300 and photograph the damage from a safe distance for your insurance company.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree?
It depends on your town. Some Westchester and Orange County municipalities require a permit above a certain trunk size or in regulated areas such as wetlands; others do not. Ask us at the estimate — we will tell you what applies to your property before any work is scheduled.
When is the best time to prune trees in the Hudson Valley?
Late winter, while trees are dormant, is best for most species — cuts seal quickly and the structure is visible without leaves. Deadwood and hazardous limbs should be removed whenever they are found, in any season.