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Tree Planting & Transplanting in Essex & Morris County, NJ
Right tree, right place, planted right — species chosen for New Jersey’s climate and set at the correct depth by ISA Certified Arborists, so your new trees actually thrive across Essex & Morris County.
T&D Tree Service is a family-owned, ISA Certified arborist company in Livingston, New Jersey, offering professional tree planting and transplanting throughout Essex County and Morris County since 1984. Anyone can dig a hole and drop in a tree — but most tree failures trace back to the day of planting: the wrong species for the site, a hole that’s too deep, a buried root flare, or a young tree left to dry out its first summer. We plant trees the way an arborist would — so they survive the transplant and grow into the shade tree you actually wanted.
Whether you’re replacing a tree we just took down, screening a property line, relocating an established tree with a tree spade, or starting a whole new landscape, we help you pick the right tree for the right place and get it established. It’s the natural companion to our removal and plant health care services. We’re licensed and fully insured.
Planted to thrive, not just to survive
Species selection, correct-depth planting, tree-spade transplanting and real establishment care — guided by a certified arborist.
Species Selection
Right-tree-right-place guidance for NJ Zone 6b/7a — matching species to your soil, sun, space and overhead wires so the tree fits at maturity, not just today.
New Tree Planting
Balled-and-burlapped and container trees planted at the correct depth with the root flare exposed — the single biggest factor in long-term survival.
Tree Transplanting
Relocating established trees and shrubs with a tree spade — moving a healthy specimen instead of losing it to a project or new layout.
Replacement After Removal
Replanting the right tree where an old or hazardous one came out — often grinding the old stump deeper to make room.
Native & Disease-Resistant
Favoring native and resistant species so we don’t repeat the ash and maple monocultures that pests are now wiping out across NJ.
Establishment Care
Proper mulching, staking and a first-season watering plan — plus plant health care — to carry a young tree through the critical years.
Why planting depth and species come first
The two mistakes that kill more young trees than anything else are planting the wrong species for the spot and planting it too deep. A tree buried above its root flare slowly girdles itself; a species that wants full sun and dry feet struggles in wet clay shade. We solve both before the shovel comes out — matching the tree to your site and setting the root flare right at grade.
- Species chosen for NJ Zone 6b/7a, your soil, sun, drainage and mature size
- Planted at the correct depth with the root flare visible — never buried
- Sited clear of foundations, walkways, septic and overhead utility lines
- Proper backfill, mulching and staking — without the mulch “volcano” that rots the trunk
- A first-season watering and establishment plan so the tree makes it through year one
When to plant — and what to plant
There are more good reasons to plant a tree in New Jersey than most homeowners realize, and the best time is often right now. Consider new plantings when you want to:
- Replace a tree that was removed — restoring shade, privacy and property value
- Screen a property line, road or neighbor with an evergreen or fast-growing hedge
- Cool the house and cut cooling bills with a well-placed shade tree on the west or south side
- Diversify a yard that’s all one species — a real risk as pests target NJ’s ash and maple
- Move a healthy tree that’s in the way of an addition, pool or driveway, rather than lose it
- Add flowering, native or disease-resistant species that support local birds and pollinators
We steer clients away from overplanting ash (emerald ash borer) and maple, and toward diverse, resilient choices — oaks, hornbeam, serviceberry, tupelo, dogwood and native evergreens — suited to your specific yard.
Consult, source, plant, establish
Planting is only step one — getting the tree established is what makes it last.
Site & Species Consult
We walk your property, check soil, sun, drainage and utilities, and recommend the right species and location for the space at maturity.
Source Quality Stock
We source healthy, well-formed nursery stock — native and disease-resistant where it makes sense — sized to your budget and goal.
Plant at Correct Depth
We dig a wide hole, set the root flare at grade, backfill, mulch properly and stake only if needed — no buried trunks, no mulch volcanoes.
Establishment Plan
You get a clear first-season watering schedule, and we follow up with plant health care so the tree establishes strong.
Planting often follows a removal, and a young tree may benefit from an arborist assessment of the site. We serve every town in Essex & Morris County, including all of Essex and Morris.
Planting for New Jersey’s climate and soil
Essex and Morris County sit in USDA hardiness zones 6b to 7a, on the heavy, often poorly drained clay soils that define northern New Jersey. That combination is unforgiving of careless planting: dig a smooth-walled hole in wet clay and you’ve made a bathtub that drowns the roots. We plant wide, shallow holes with roughened sides, set the flare at or slightly above grade, and amend and mulch appropriately for our soils — the details that decide whether a tree sulks for years or takes off.
Timing matters here too. Fall and early spring are the prime planting windows in New Jersey, giving roots time to establish before summer heat or winter cold. We also plant with our region’s pest pressure in mind: emerald ash borer has decimated local ash, and over-reliance on a few maples leaves whole neighborhoods vulnerable to the next outbreak. By choosing native and disease-resistant species and diversifying what goes in the ground, we help build a canopy that holds up — from the estates of Short Hills and Mendham to established yards across Montclair, Livingston and Morristown. New plantings pair naturally with ongoing plant health care.
What affects tree planting & transplanting cost in NJ
We quote planting and transplanting on-site, because the price depends as much on access and aftercare as on the tree itself. The main factors:
- Tree size & species — a small container tree versus a large balled-and-burlapped specimen
- Quantity — a single shade tree versus a full privacy screen or row of evergreens
- Transplanting — moving an established tree with a tree spade takes more equipment than a new planting
- Site prep — soil condition, drainage, and whether an old stump must be ground deeper first
- Access — an open front yard versus a tight backyard reached through a narrow gate
- Aftercare — staking, mulching and a first-season watering or health-care plan
A tree planted correctly is an investment that appreciates for decades. Meet the team, read our reviews, or book a free estimate.
Caring for the trees of Essex & Morris County
From the estates of Short Hills and Mendham to every street in between, T&D Tree Service is the local, licensed arborist New Jersey homeowners call first.
Essex County
What Essex & Morris County says about T&D Tree
This service is THE BEST! A huge tree came down on my shed and they came out same-day. The crew worked hard to save the shed and removed the heavy limbs very carefully. Cleaned up nicely — excellent service.
I have been using T&D for years. There is no reason to use anyone else. They are reliable, competent and fairly priced. Thank you Dave.
Best tree services in Essex and Morris counties. Dave came for a prompt estimate, pulled the permit quickly, and his crew did a great job above our expectations — covered the siding and pathway to avoid damage.
I’ve used T&D multiple times and they never disappoint. Professional, friendly, efficient. They leave the area spotless — it’s clear they take pride in their work. Highly recommend!
T&D was wonderful — always on time, always when promised. David showed a vast knowledge of local trees, his team used a crane and wore safety equipment, and they cleaned up completely.
They do exceptional work at extremely reasonable prices. Dave was an absolute pleasure to work with. The tree was a monster and came down seamlessly — they truly go above and beyond.
Dave arrived on time with a reasonable quote, and the crew showed up the very morning he promised. Courteous, efficient and professional — they protected our property and cleaned up well.
Massive 50-ft tree removed at the last minute, leaving no trace on my neighbor’s yard. Amazing work for just 3 guys. Fair pricing and easy to work with.
Responsive, dependable, and his team is neat and very careful. I’ve used T&D in the past and would not do business with any other tree company in Livingston.
Very reasonable pricing. Great service. Crew arrived at the time promised. Yard was left spotless.
Tree planting questions, answered
In New Jersey’s Zone 6b/7a climate, fall and early spring are the prime planting windows — the soil is warm and moist and roots can establish before summer heat or winter cold stress the tree. Container-grown trees can be planted through much of the growing season with proper watering. T&D Tree Service will advise the right timing for your species and site. Call (973) 434-5557.
We steer NJ homeowners toward diverse, native and disease-resistant species — oaks, hornbeam, serviceberry, tupelo, dogwood and native evergreens — and away from overplanting ash (threatened by emerald ash borer) and maple, which already dominate many yards. The right choice depends on your soil, sun and space, which is why we start with a site consult. See our plant health care service.
Often, yes. T&D Tree Service transplants healthy established trees and shrubs using a tree spade, relocating a specimen that’s in the way of an addition, pool or new layout rather than losing it. Success depends on the tree’s species, size and health, which we assess on-site — sometimes alongside an arborist evaluation.
The most common causes are planting too deep with a buried root flare, choosing a species that doesn’t suit the site, and letting the tree dry out during its first season. T&D Tree Service prevents all three — correct-depth planting, right-tree-right-place selection for NJ, and a clear establishment watering plan — so your investment actually takes.
Yes — replacement planting after a removal is one of our most requested services. We can grind the old stump deeper to make room, improve the soil, and select a better-suited species for the spot. Ask about it when you book your removal, or request a free estimate.
Ready to plant the right tree?
Get a free, no-pressure estimate from the arborists Essex & Morris County have trusted since 1984. Same-week scheduling and 24/7 emergency response.