(973) 903-1641 www.arboracetreeservice.com
41 Burlington Rd, Clifton, New Jersey 07012
Equipment and Capabilities: Crane, Stump Grinder
Emergency and Storm: 24 Hour Emergency Response, Hurricane Cleanup, Quick Response
Tree Services: Works Near Structures, Large Trees, Stump Removal, Tree Planting, Tree Assessments, Dead Tree Experience
Credentials and Trust: ISA Certified
Arbor Ace provides tree service and tree removal in Wayne NJ, Montclair NJ, and the surrounding Passaic County NJ area. Michael Zelenka, owner of Arbor Ace Tree Service, loves trees. He grew into tree work from the youthful age of 13 working on his family property under the guidance of his father and a close family friend. Since then, he has worked towards and received certificates as a New Jersey Certified Tree Expert (#612), as well as an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist (see attached certificate), along with many other accolades and certifications. He will bring his expertise in tree pruning, removal, planting, nurturing and maintenance to you by examining the overall health of the tree explaining all options.
5.0 from 375 reviews
Based on reviews representing only 1% of total ratings
Arbor Ace Tree Service is best suited for discerning homeowners in Clifton and the surrounding Northern New Jersey area who face complex, high-stakes tree work. It’s the team for large, mature yards, trees perched close to houses, fences, sheds, or utilities, and projects that require exacting technique and heavy equipment. It also serves as a vigilant partner for urgent situations, emergencies, storm damage, and close-time refusals from others, where rapid, safe access and flawless cleanup are non-negotiable. Budget isn’t a limiting factor for high-value, safety-first work; the company earns its keep with certified arborists, sophisticated gear, and a track record of protecting people, structures, and neighboring landscapes. In short, Arbor Ace is the pick for property types that demand technical knowledge, meticulous planning, and the willingness to back decisions with integrity.
Safety and cleanup standards are not peripheral in Arbor Ace’s playbook; they are the operating system. The reviews portray a team that treats every job as a potential risk, detailing careful planning, PPE, and engineered rigging before making a single cut. Crews routinely protect driveways, roofs, and nearby landscaping with plywood barriers, tarps, and methodical staging to prevent collateral damage. Cone-and-block safety protocols, careful crane use, and explicit attention to power lines or shared property lines appear as standard practice, not exceptions. The end result is not merely a tree taken down; it is a controlled process that minimizes kickback, shrapnel, or unintended impacts on adjacent structures. When neighbors or utilities are involved, the crew communicates with the same precision afforded to the tree, because safety extends beyond the trunk to every corner of the property.
Cleanup and site restoration emerge as a signature strength. Across the portfolio of jobs, Arbor Ace consistently leaves properties looking cleaner than before, with debris cleared from yards, decks, driveways, and even gutters. Stump grinding, soil restoration, reseeding, and mulch redistribution are common touches that convert a disrupted yard back into a usable space quickly. The team’s cleaning discipline travels to neighboring properties as well, ensuring wood dust, chips, or residual branches don’t migrate where they aren’t wanted. In tight spaces or on irregular lots, the crew’s ability to remove and cart away material without leaving “trace cuts” speaks to a level of finish that fewer firms achieve. The result is not just safety, it’s prideful stewardship of the landscape you invest in.
Technical excellence, education, and candid diagnosis define the advisory core of Arbor Ace. Mike, a certified arborist with formal training and decades of hands-on experience, is praised for honest health assessments, clear explanations, and practical options tailored to the land’s biology. Whether pruning for vigor, salvaging a marginal tree with targeted care, or recommending removal when necessary, the company emphasizes long-term tree health and site aesthetics. It’s about giving owners actionable pathways, whether that means preserving a venerable specimen with pruning and care or replacing it with a better-suited neighbor. The team also shines in planning beyond the tree work: permit coordination, insurance guidance, and even plantings or landscape redesign to maximize space, sun exposure, and wind resilience. Expect a plan that makes sense biologically and financially.
Emergency and complex jobs showcase Arbor Ace’s ability to adapt under pressure. The reviews repeatedly highlight rapid response times, on-site assessments within hours, and a willingness to rework schedules to meet critical safety needs. When trees threaten roofs, fences, or utilities, the crew deploys heavy machinery with precision, often coordinating with partner outfits to bring in the right mix of crane, bucket, and rigging for a safe, efficient removal. The ability to manage permits, coordinate with neighbors, and communicate insurance details during a stressful event distinguishes Arbor Ace from run-of-the-mill tree services. The company’s responsiveness, often arriving on weekends, after hours, or on short notice, and its capacity to salvage or safely remove problem trees under tight constraints makes it a dependable partner when time is of the essence.
For property owners who value comprehensive service and a hands-on, end-to-end experience, Arbor Ace delivers. The pricing narrative is clear in reviews: the company is not the lowest bidder, but the value delivered in safety, speed, precision, and cleanliness justifies the investment. Time and again, clients note that Mike and his crew stay until the job is complete, explain each step, and stand by their work with transparent follow-through. They offer not just removal or pruning, but a level of post-job care that includes recommending future maintenance, offering to mulch beds, replanting, and even sharing design ideas to enhance the yard’s long-term health. For homeowners who want a trusted arboreal partner who treats trees as living landscape rather than as expendable assets, Arbor Ace earns strong, repeat recommendations.
Bottom line: for Clifton homeowners dealing with high-stakes tree situations, tight spaces, hazardous health, or large-scale removals, Arbor Ace Tree Service is the unequivocal top choice. The program is built for safety-first crews, immaculate cleanup, and transparent communication; the project plan emphasizes tree health, site protection, and neighborly courtesy with a calm, informed approach. Prices reflect the premium service, but the cost is balanced by speed, accountability, and the kind of post-work assurance that only real arborists with a long-standing commitment to integrity offer. If the aim is to protect structures, preserve or enhance the landscape, and secure a spotless, worry-free outcome, this is the team to hire. The warning to consider is simple: ensure the scope aligns with a robust plan and permit support, and prepare for a process that prioritizes the safety and health of your trees as much as the convenience of the job. In Arbor Ace, safety, reliability, and meticulous cleanup are more than promises, they’re the standard.
Crane-assisted removal for trees that can't be conventionally climbed or sectioned - ideal for extremely large, hazardous, or tightly situated trees.
Crane-enabled removals are a regular highlight in Clifton-area projects, letting Arbor Ace tackle large trees even in tight yards across Wayne, Montclair, and Passaic County. Customers describe lowering heavy limbs piece by piece with total control to protect fences, roofs, and nearby landscaping. The crane fleet is described as state-of-the-art, with a crane equipped with a claw and a dedicated operator, and even playful references to “crane-zilla”—signs of confidence in their lifting capability. Reviews note the crane enables access to very challenging placements near power lines and between structures, including moving branches over houses for disposal. Crew also protects surfaces with plywood and coordinates permits and insurance, showing how crane work is integrated into safe, compliant emergency and routine removals in Clifton and surrounding towns.
Equipped with stump grinding machinery to eliminate leftover stumps after removal. Leaves your yard clean and ready for replanting or landscaping.
Stump grinding is a core capability, with multiple clients noting Arbor Ace can reach and grind stumps even in tight spaces and near structures. They describe the work as precise and controlled, taking care to avoid damage to fences, driveways, and neighboring landscaping, sometimes using plywood to shield surfaces when needed. The cleanup after stump grinding is repeatedly praised, with reviews noting the area is left spotless and ready for the next phase of landscaping. In Clifton and Passaic County, customers report that Arbor Ace can handle stubborn stumps and roots and will propose safer, more cost-effective alternatives when grinding near protective barriers. Overall, stump grinding is consistently described as thorough, safe, and neatly integrated into the rest of the project.
Available around the clock for dangerous situations - a tree on your roof, a limb blocking your driveway, or a trunk threatening to fall. Day or night.
Emergency storm response is a core capability, with Arbor Ace mobilizing crane-equipped crews quickly to secure hazards and remove downed trees in tight spaces near homes and fences. In Clifton, NJ and the Passaic County area, they are known for same-day responses or on-site assessments, with work often starting within hours of contact, even on weekends or holidays. They handle dangerous scenarios—trees leaning on houses or near power lines—by lowering limbs piece by piece with a crane and careful rigging to avoid damage to surrounding property. Cleanup is consistently thorough; customers report debris cleared, driveways and gutters cleaned, and neighboring properties protected. They also coordinate permits, insurance interactions, and neighbor communications as part of emergency recoveries, demonstrating reliable, safety-first service when you need it most.
Equipped and experienced for large-scale post-hurricane debris removal. Fast mobilization and the capacity to handle widespread, severe damage across a property.
Rapid hurricane cleanup is a core strength, consistently demonstrated in Clifton-area work. In storm aftermaths, Arbor Ace responds quickly—often within hours of contact, including after-hours and holiday calls—and arrives with crane-equipped crews to remove downed trees and secure hazards near homes and nearby properties. They handle high-risk removals in tight spaces, lowering large limbs piece by piece with precision, tarping roofs when needed, and coordinating with utilities and insurance to keep the process moving smoothly. Cleanup is meticulous and thorough, with yards, driveways, and even neighboring properties left spotless, and they routinely manage permits and city coordination to facilitate safe access and work areas. Customer feedback repeatedly highlights their safety focus, professional communication, and careful care for surrounding structures and neighbors, underscoring their proven hurricane cleanup capability in the North Jersey area.
Fast to answer calls and quick to schedule. Whether it's routine work or an urgent situation, these businesses don't leave you waiting.
Rapid response is a defining strength of Arbor Ace Tree Service, with customers repeatedly noting swift attention to dangerous or storm-damaged trees. They frequently arrive within hours—often within an hour—and even on weekends or holidays, delivering emergency removals when time is of the essence. The team uses crane-equipped crews and precise, safety-minded techniques to access tight spaces and protect nearby structures, fences, and landscaping while working. They also streamline the process by coordinating permits, scheduling, and, when needed, insurance discussions, so the job proceeds quickly and with clear communication. Covering Clifton and the surrounding Passaic County area (including Wayne and Montclair), their quick-response capability is consistently demonstrated across a wide range of urgent and routine tree care needs.
Skilled at working in tight spaces where trees sit close to homes, fences, garages, or power lines. Precision removal without damage to surrounding structures.
Near-structure work is a standout capability in Clifton and the surrounding Passaic County area, where trees sit directly above fences, homes, and landscaping. Crews approach tight sites with precision, taking trees down piece by piece to maintain total control and prevent any contact with nearby structures. When space is limited or wiring and roofs are at risk, they deploy crane-assisted removals and rigging, while shielding the property with plywood, boards, and tarps to protect driveways, roofs, gutters, and adjacent plantings. They coordinate with neighbors and local authorities to obtain permits and arrange access, ensuring safe, well-communicated operations around property lines. The overall result is meticulous execution near structures, followed by spotless cleanup that leaves surrounding areas looking as if no work was done.
Experienced handling oversized trees - tall, wide, or heavily branched. Removing or trimming a large tree requires specialized skill and equipment, and these pros have both.
Large-tree work is a core capability, with clients repeatedly describing crane-assisted removals of very tall trees, even over 100 feet, in tight yards and near structures. They dismantle the trees piece by piece with meticulous control, often protecting fences, roofs, landscaping, and adjacent property through careful staging and ground protection. They coordinate permits and access around property lines and neighboring yards, and employees frequently guide homeowners through insurance, scheduling, and the regulatory steps needed for large removals. Emergency response is a standout pattern, with rapid mobilization, weekend or holiday availability, and the capability to tarps or stabilize hazards before removal when storms strike. Across many projects, customers emphasize safety, honesty, professional communication, and a pristine cleanup that leaves the property looking as if the tree were never there.
Full stump extraction, root and all - not just grinding. Ideal when you need the area completely cleared for construction, landscaping, or replanting.
Stump removal is a core capability, with precise grinding that works even in tight spaces or right beside fences and other structures. The crews often follow grinding with leveling, seeding, and mulching to restore the site and repurpose the wood chips. Cleanup is consistently praised as immaculate, leaving yards looking as if nothing was cut and no debris is left behind. They protect surrounding property during stump work, using plywood and protective boards to shield driveways, lawns, and fences. In Clifton and the surrounding Passaic County towns, Arbor Ace’s stump removal capabilities are demonstrated across a range of jobs, from small stumps to those involved in large, crane-assisted removals, with a safe, tidy, and reliable finish.
Not just removal - these companies help you add trees too. Proper planting technique gives new trees the best chance at a long, healthy life.
Planting is a core service, with guidance on selecting NJ-friendly species and sourcing healthy stock, including specimens like Kwanzan cherry, to fit the landscape and goals for privacy or curb appeal. They design and place plantings to meet yard needs, often planning multiple trees and shrubs across a property to enhance privacy, shade, and aesthetics. Site prep for planting is thorough: they protect structures and lawns with plywood, dig and prepare the right depth, plant with care, and finish with mulch and a measured post-planting watering plan. They pair planting with related landscape work—such as pruning, removal, mulching, and ongoing care tips—leaving the yard clean, well-integrated, and ready to thrive. In Clifton, Montclair, Wayne, and surrounding Passaic County areas, customers see multi-tree plantings and landscape transformations that emphasize thoughtful species choice, precise placement, and meticulous cleanup.
Offers professional evaluation of your trees' health, structure, and risk level. Useful before buying property, after storm damage, or when a tree just doesn't look right.
A core capability is comprehensive tree-health assessment that identifies health status, structural risk, and potential failure points, followed by transparent, option-based guidance. Clients repeatedly note honest diagnoses and clear explanations of options, including whether pruning, treatment, or removal best protects the tree and surrounding property. Their assessments account for real-world constraints—tight spaces, proximity to fences or structures, and safety concerns—before planning with precise, step-by-step actions and coordination of permits and scheduling. Credentials such as New Jersey Certified Tree Expert and International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist back the evaluations, and customers appreciate the depth of knowledge and ongoing care recommendations for future health and planting. Even when in-person visits aren’t possible, they offer thoughtful remote input and photo-based reviews to guide decisions, reinforcing trust in their arboricultural expertise for Clifton, Wayne, Montclair, and Passaic County areas.
Specialists in the safe removal of dead, dying, or diseased trees. Dead trees are unpredictable - experience and caution matter.
They assess the health of dead or dying trees and provide honest, clear recommendations, often advising removal when preservation isn’t viable. When removal is necessary, they handle dead trees in tight spaces and near structures with meticulous planning and piece-by-piece lowering using a crane or similar equipment, protecting fences and landscaping. Customers consistently highlight precise, safe work and immaculate cleanup that leaves the yard looking as if the tree were never there, even after large or hazardous removals. They respond quickly to emergencies, sometimes within hours or on weekends/holidays, and they coordinate permits and even guide insurance conversations to ease the process. In Clifton and the surrounding Passaic County area, this blend of arborist expertise, safety-first execution, and thorough cleanup is demonstrated in practice.
Employs one or more ISA-certified arborists - credentialed professionals who've passed rigorous testing in tree care science and best practices.
The ISA-certified arborist capability is demonstrated by consistent, expert tree-health assessments and clear explanations of options provided to homeowners in Clifton and the wider Passaic County area. Customers repeatedly note honest diagnoses and careful guidance—whether preserving a diseased tree, pruning for health, or recommending removal to protect structures—along with proactive permit coordination. In tight, high‑risk removals near fences or buildings, the team plans and executes piece‑by‑piece cuts with precision and safety, a hallmark of expertise expected from ISA-certified arborists. Across the region, clients commend thorough cleanup and responsible customer service, reflecting the health‑focused, professional approach associated with ISA certification.