Arborist Consultation in Rockville, NY

Pests & disease to watch

• Spotted lanternfly Established in Nassau County; swarms tree-of-heaven, maples and grapevines
• Oak wilt Confirmed in Islip and Brooklyn; avoid pruning oaks April through July
• Beech leaf disease Confirmed on Long Island; beech hedges decline within a few seasons
• Emerald ash borer Spreading across Long Island; assess remaining ash
• Southern pine beetle Kills pines across Long Island; infested pines near homes become hazards

Trees we see most in Rockville

• Callery/Bradford pear Overplanted ornamental with tight crotches that split in wind and wet snow
• Sweetgum Common street tree; gumballs and surface roots
• Norway spruce Overgrown mid-century privacy evergreens; shallow roots uproot in storms
• Silver maple The Village bans this 'swamp maple' near mains because its roots invade sewers and water lines
• Northern red oak Large native shade oak on older lots; oak wilt pruning cautions
• London planetree Big tolerant tree on wider avenues; sheds bark and heavy limbs with age

Weather & timing

• Hurricanes and tropical storms Sandy (2012) and Isaias (2020) brought down large pin oaks and spruce across the Village
• Nor'easters Onshore wind with rain-saturated ground uproots shallow-rooted evergreens and maples
• Summer thunderstorm microbursts Localized downbursts snap limbs and split weak-crotched pears and maples
• Heavy wet snow and ice Dense coastal snow and freezing rain load evergreens and brittle hardwoods

Best time: Late fall through winter is best for removals and pruning in Rockville Centre (dormant trees, no oak wilt risk, firmer lawns), with storm-hazard pruning completed by early summer ahead of hurricane season.