Nassau County · Town of Hempstead
Tree Removal & Tree Service in Levittown, NY
Levittown was built fast in the late 1940s, and so were its trees: fruit trees, shade trees, and ornamentals planted as part of the original development that are now well past 70 years old on lots that were never large to begin with. That combination, aging trees and tight setbacks, is the defining issue we deal with on almost every job in Levittown, whether it's a street off Hempstead Turnpike or a quiet block near Division Ave.
Call (631) 873-1596Big Brother Tree Service works these small Levittown lots regularly, and the job usually comes down to the same question: is this original-era tree still structurally sound enough to keep, or has it reached the point where age-related decline makes removal the safer call. We look at each tree individually rather than assuming age alone means it has to come down, but on lots this tight, we also can't afford to guess wrong.
Levitt-era plantings reaching the end of their lifespan
A lot of the original Levittown plantings were fruit trees, apple, cherry, and pear, along with fast-growing shade trees like silver maple and Norway maple, chosen because they filled in quickly on brand-new lots. Decades later, many of those same trees are showing classic signs of age: hollow or decayed trunk sections, dieback in the upper canopy, and weakened root systems from years of lawn compaction and, in some cases, past construction or utility work close to the trunk.
Because these trees are often planted close to the house, close to a neighbor's fence, or directly over a septic or utility line laid down when the neighborhood was built, removal here is rarely a simple drop. We section these trees down piece by piece more often than not, and we always ask about buried utilities and any known septic layout before starting work near the house.
Pin oak and sweetgum are also common on Levittown's slightly later plantings and along wider streets like Division Ave, and these species tend to hold up better structurally than the original fruit trees, though they still need periodic pruning to manage limb weight over roofs and driveways on such tight lots.
Small lots, close setbacks, and what that means for our approach
Levittown's original lot layout put houses close together with narrow side yards, and that hasn't changed much since the 1950s. A declining tree near Levittown Memorial Education Center or on a residential block off Hempstead Turnpike often has a neighbor's garage, a shared fence line, or overhead wires within a few feet of the drop zone. We plan for that from the first estimate, often recommending rope-assisted sectioning over a full-tree drop even for smaller trees, simply because there's so little margin for error.
Stump removal is a bigger part of the job here than in some other towns, since so many of these original trees are being removed for age rather than storm damage, and homeowners often want the stump ground out completely to reclaim yard space or replant something smaller and easier to maintain going forward.
Streets near Wantagh Parkway and Division Ave
Properties closer to Wantagh Parkway sometimes have larger shade trees that benefited from slightly more open surrounding space, while blocks nearer Division Ave and the interior of the original Levitt tract tend to have the tightest lot lines and the oldest original plantings. We treat these as genuinely different jobs even though they're only a mile or two apart, because the tree size, age, and available access differ block to block.
Storm response and emergency removal in Levittown
Aging trees with internal decay are more likely to fail during wind events than younger, healthier trees, and that's exactly the risk profile common throughout Levittown. After a storm, we prioritize calls involving large limbs or full trees down near homes, driveways, or shared fence lines close to Hempstead Turnpike and Division Ave, since damage on these tight lots tends to affect more than one property at once.
Tree permits through the Town of Hempstead
Levittown falls under the Town of Hempstead, which may require a permit for removing certain trees depending on size and location, particularly if the tree is near a right-of-way or shared property line. Because requirements can vary and we can't guarantee what a specific address will need, we recommend confirming with the Town of Hempstead before scheduling removal, and we can help you put together the trunk diameter and species details they'll likely ask for.
What tree removal costs in Levittown
Because so much of the work here involves careful sectioning around tight setbacks, pricing reflects the extra labor that requires. As a rough estimate, removing an aging fruit or shade tree on a standard Levittown lot might run a few hundred to around a thousand dollars, with larger or more structurally compromised trees near structures running higher. Stump grinding is often bundled in given how many of these removals are age-related rather than storm-related. These are general estimates only. Call for a free estimate and we'll give you an accurate number after seeing the tree in person.
Trees We Work On in Levittown
Silver Maple
Common original Levitt-era shade tree, often showing age-related decay
Norway Maple
Widely planted shade tree from the original development era
Apple & Pear (ornamental/fruit)
Original Levitt-era plantings now largely past their lifespan
Pin Oak
Common on wider streets like Division Ave, generally more structurally sound
Sweetgum
Found on later plantings; needs periodic pruning on tight lots
Where We Work in Levittown
- Hempstead Turnpike
- Division Ave
- Levittown Memorial Education Center
- Wantagh Parkway
Levittown Tree Service FAQs
How do I know if my old Levittown tree needs to come down?
Signs to watch for include hollow or decayed trunk sections, dieback in the upper canopy, mushrooms at the base, or visible root heave. Many original Levitt-era trees are now over 70 years old, and we assess each one individually rather than assuming age alone means removal is necessary.
Can you remove a tree on a small Levittown lot without damaging the neighbor's fence?
Yes. Tight setbacks are the norm throughout Levittown, so we typically section trees down piece by piece and rope-lower larger cuts rather than felling the whole tree, especially when a shared fence line, garage, or overhead wire is close by.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Levittown?
It depends on the tree's size and location. Levittown falls under the Town of Hempstead, which may require a permit for certain removals, particularly near a right-of-way. We recommend checking with the town before scheduling, and we can help gather the details they'll want.
How much does it cost to remove an old fruit or shade tree in Levittown?
As a rough estimate, removing an aging tree on a standard Levittown lot often runs a few hundred to around a thousand dollars, with larger or structurally compromised trees near the home costing more due to careful sectioning. Call for a free estimate specific to your yard.
Do you grind stumps left from original Levittown plantings?
Yes, stump grinding is a common part of these jobs since so many original-era fruit and shade trees are being removed for age rather than storm damage. We can grind the stump completely so you can reclaim the yard space or replant.
Do you handle emergency tree removal near Hempstead Turnpike and Division Ave?
Yes. Aging trees with internal decay are more prone to failure in wind events, which is common throughout Levittown. We prioritize storm calls involving large limbs or full trees down near homes or shared fence lines in these areas.