(412) 219-3040 www.northwoodtreecare.com
8696 W Barkhurst Dr, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15237
Equipment and Capabilities: Chipper
Tree Services: Large Trees, Works Near Structures, Tree Assessments, Dead Tree Experience, Cabling Bracing, Tree Planting
Emergency and Storm: 24 Hour Emergency Response
Credentials and Trust: Insured
Customer Experience: Free Estimates, Affordable
Northwood Tree Care is a team of certified tree care professionals dedicated to environmental stewardship and expert, ethical tree management. Serving Pittsburgh and surrounding areas, we provide research-based solutions that prioritize the health of trees and their ecosystems. Our mission is rooted in sustainability, safety, and education—whether through pruning, root zone improvement, or risk assessments. We focus on preservation first, removing trees only when necessary, and proudly uphold high safety standards with full liability and workers’ compensation coverage.
5.0 from 68 reviews
Based on reviews representing only 0% of total ratings
Northwood Tree Care in Pittsburgh is best suited for residential properties with mature or historically significant trees, where preservation and long-term health matter as much as immediate aesthetics. They excel on complex jobs that demand arborist-level planning, think large, endangered, or structurally risky trees near structures, tight spaces, or gardens where heavy equipment must be minimized. Their sweet spot also covers storm-damaged situations, deadwood removal, and scenarios where a precise balance between safety and aesthetic outcome is required. Budget-conscious homeowners will find fair pricing, but Northwood’s true value lies in the high-caliber expertise and careful, preservation-minded approach rather than the lowest-cost quote. Urgency is not an obstacle; their team is noted for responsiveness and the ability to triage multiple requests, prioritizing urgent needs when storms or hazards arise.
Safety and cleanup standards are non-negotiable with Northwood, and that commitment shows in every phase of work. The crews operate with a disciplined, craft-focused mindset: they explain the plan upfront, deploy precise rigging and climbing techniques, and employ ropes, block and tackle, and careful staging to protect people, pets, and nearby structures. Cleanups are as thorough as the pruning work, debris is removed beyond contract requirements, and the site is left looking as though the work never happened. Several stories recount precision when removing dangerous or overhanging limbs, preserving adjacent landscaping, and preventing collateral damage to fences or foundations. The emphasis on safety extends to the choice of tools and methods, battery-powered equipment and restrained chipping reduce noise, dust, and disruption, a notable advantage in tight Pittsburgh yards.
Tree health is the core philosophy at Northwood, not a secondary objective. Arch and his team are consistently described as deeply knowledgeable about physiology, structure, and ecology, prioritizing long-term resilience over quick fixes. They tailor pruning to the tree’s age, species, and location, and they will explain how cuts support future growth, vigor, and stability. The emphasis on health is evident in decisions like conservative reductions on beloved specimens and the avoidance of unnecessary sprays in favor of broader resilience strategies. They regularly perform root-related work and soil analyses when needed, and they discuss findings with clients in concrete terms, including how to water, feed, and protect trees through changing conditions. The company’s track record with century-old oaks, maples, and other mature specimens reinforces that preservation is not a niche but a core service ethos.
Communication and project management are standout differentiators. The team arrives on schedule, conducts thorough assessments, and presents detailed plans with clear explanations, sometimes accompanied by photos. Clients repeatedly note prompt responses, ongoing updates during work, and post-job follow-ups to confirm satisfaction. A hallmark is the willingness to address questions directly on-site and in writing, ensuring every party understands what will be done and why. Arch’s personal involvement in initial reviews, followed by consistent crew accountability, builds trust that the job will match the anticipated scope. When priorities shift, such as urgent storm work or rescheduling, Northwood demonstrates flexibility without sacrificing quality or safety.
The breadth of services demonstrates a mature, professional operation. Pruning, cabling, and dead-wood removals sit alongside more involved tasks like root excavation, soil sampling, and even selective tree planting. The company has earned praise for improving the health of newly planted trees and for advising on native plantings and soil care that support long-term ecosystem health. Their ability to tackle large removals, stabilize deteriorating specimens, and then restore landscape features shows a depth of capability rarely found in smaller outfits. Clients also highlight thoughtful, low-impact practices, using climbing techniques and careful rigging to minimize ground disturbance, and leaving yards tidy with even delicate plantings protected during work.
For property owners weighing options, the takeaway is straightforward: Northwood Tree Care is the prudent choice when safety, tree longevity, and nuanced landscape health drive the project. They deliver for high-stakes jobs, delicate preservation tasks, and urgent storm-related work with a level of professionalism that stands up to the most demanding referrals. If the goal is to protect a valuable tree, preserve a historic landscape, or negotiate complex pruning with competing objectives (safety, form, and growth), Northwood consistently proves it can harmonize these needs. The largest payoffs come from partners who demand accuracy, transparent pricing, and a clearly articulated care plan rooted in arboricultural science.
In short, Northwood Tree Care suits discerning homeowners who want certified arborist expertise, meticulous safety practices, and a commitment to preserving trees while achieving practical, beautiful results. They are not the cheapest option, but the value is evident in the reliability of outcomes, the clarity of communication, and the way work integrates with the broader landscape and ecological context. Prospective clients should request a written plan with anticipated methods, a detailed prognosis for each major tree, and a clear safety protocol before work begins. For those who want assurance that every cut and every decision serves the tree’s health and the yard’s long-term beauty, Northwood is the definitive choice in the Pittsburgh area.
On-site wood chipping turns bulky brush and branches into manageable mulch. Efficient cleanup and an option to keep the chips for your garden.
Chipping is used judiciously on Pittsburgh-area projects, reflecting a preservation-first approach. Crews frequently rely on battery-powered tools and only briefly engage the chipper, keeping the work quiet and less disruptive. When chips are produced, customers report they’re often kept on-site for garden use, turning debris into a helpful resource. Across projects in Pittsburgh and surrounding neighborhoods, Northwood Tree Care is consistently praised for thorough cleanup and careful, professional work that prioritizes tree health.
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.
Handling large, heritage trees is a core strength for Northwood Tree Care, with frequent work on 100+ year old oaks, giant maples, and other expansive specimens in the Pittsburgh region. Feedback patterns show they perform thoughtful pruning, reduction cuts, and cabling/bracing to preserve tree health and long-term stability, even on very large trees. They have managed dangerous, high-stakes scenarios—removing dead or hazardous limbs over fences or stabilizing a centuries-old oak near a shed—without compromising safety or the home. Rigging with climbing, block-and-tackle, ropes, and careful use of battery-powered tools helps them minimize disruption, keep noise and debris down, and protect the surrounding ecology. Clients note clear communication, detailed estimates, thorough cleanup, and ongoing care guidance that supports the trees’ longevity.
Skilled at working in tight spaces where trees sit close to homes, fences, garages, or power lines. Precision removal without damage to surrounding structures.
Their near-structure work centers on safe, precise removal and pruning of limbs that threaten homes, sheds, fences, or other structures in the Pittsburgh area. Customers repeatedly report teams carefully pruning or removing large, dangling branches hovering over neighboring fences or sheds, with thorough cleanup and minimal disruption. They use careful rigging, including block-and-tackle techniques and ropes, plus cabling and bracing to stabilize large trees near buildings, helping prevent damage during storms while preserving the tree. In local projects, they have removed branches overhanging houses and fences, and even staged a controlled removal of a tree straddling a shed, all with no damage to structures. Clients consistently commend their communication, safety focus, and commitment to preserving trees near structures while meeting homeowners’ needs.
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.
Thorough on-site health assessments are a core capability, led by certified arborists who clearly explain findings, risks, and recommended treatments before any work begins. Customers report that the team educates homeowners about tree health and maintenance, offering detailed, evidence-based plans with photos or documentation and transparent estimates. Assessment focus prioritizes preservation and safety, addressing near-structure hazards, storm-damage scenarios, and long-term vitality of cherished trees in the Pittsburgh region. Root-zone and soil considerations are part of the practice, including root excavation and soil analyses to inform pruning, planting, and overall care. Communication and professionalism stand out—prompt responses, clear explanations, and reliable follow-up to confirm outcomes and address questions.
Specialists in the safe removal of dead, dying, or diseased trees. Dead trees are unpredictable - experience and caution matter.
Dead-wood and hazard-prone trees near structures are handled with a preservation-first approach by Northwood Tree Care in the Pittsburgh area. Customers consistently note efficient pruning that removes dead material from cherished trees while prioritizing health and ecosystem balance, with clear, educational explanations of the work. They remove dead trees when necessary and stabilize hazardous limbs using careful rigging and staged work, including situations where dead material overhangs fences or sheds and even large trees must be removed to protect property. The team is described by clients as ISA-certified arborists who communicate plans in detail and demonstrate a high level of knowledge, safety, and professionalism. In Pittsburgh-area landscapes—from Pt Breeze back yards to century-old specimens—Northwood’s work emphasizes thorough cleanup, ongoing care, and thoughtful preservation, even after storms.
Installs steel cables or braces to support weak branch unions, co-dominant stems, or leaning trunks - extending the life of a tree you don't want to lose.
Cabling and bracing are treated as preservation-first interventions to stabilize structurally at-risk limbs while preserving the tree’s health and canopy. In the Pittsburgh region, they have cabled a massive maple to reduce risk while keeping the tree alive and aesthetically intact. They rely on careful, methodical execution using ropes, block-and-tackle, and other stabilization techniques to support limbs and, when needed, dismantle hazardous sections safely. Clients note clear explanations of the plan before work, ongoing communication during the project, and thorough cleanup after cabling and bracing are completed. This approach demonstrates a strong commitment to safety and long-term tree health, even with aging or substantial trees near structures.
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 clear capability demonstrated in Pittsburgh-area projects, including a Dawn Redwood installation for a family in the Penn Hills area. Customers note that Northwood can source native species and handle planting logistics, including scenarios where two new trees were added to a property. They emphasize thoughtful selection, site assessment, and education about care and long-term health, with Arch and the crew explaining steps and following up after planting. The feedback patterns show a preservation-minded approach to planting, integrating it with overall landscape health, safety, and ecosystem considerations.
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.
Rapid responsiveness to urgent storm-damage inquiries and on-site emergencies is a clear pattern in their service, with Pittsburgh-area customers noting quick replies and prompt scheduling when danger is present. Crews are described as highly knowledgeable and safety-conscious, able to stabilize hazards and prune or remove endangered limbs while prioritizing the health of the remaining trees. They have demonstrated handling of severe incidents, such as windstorms, by carefully removing dangerous sections and stabilizing large trees to prevent damage to nearby structures, followed by thorough cleanup. Customers consistently highlight transparent communication, detailed explanations, and a flexible approach that prioritizes safety and preservation during emergencies.
Carries proper liability and workers' compensation insurance. If something goes wrong on your property, you're protected.
Backed by full liability coverage and workers’ compensation, Northwood Tree Care in the Pittsburgh area demonstrates insured safety at work, handling pruning near structures and high-risk removals with accountability. Patterns in client experiences show a safety-first mindset: crews explain plans before work, execute carefully to protect nearby homes and utilities, and stabilize trees piece by piece to avoid collateral damage, even when removing large branches over fences. Their insured capability supports precise risk management and professional communication, with customers noting detailed estimates, transparent explanations, and thorough post-work cleanup. In Pittsburgh and surrounding communities, clients consistently describe the team as knowledgeable arborists who prioritize preservation, perform near-structure work with caution, and leave properties spotless.
No charge for coming out to assess the job and give you a price. Know what you're getting into before committing.
Free estimates and evaluations are a frequent and relied-upon part of Northwood Tree Care’s process. Customers often experience on-site assessments or email correspondence that are efficient, informative, and focused on what pruning or preservation steps will be taken and why. They report receiving thorough quotes—sometimes with attached photos—that clearly show the proposed work and align it with tree health and ecology. The experience is described as transparent and educational, with staff taking time to answer questions and explain how decisions balance safety, health, and aesthetics. Scheduling and communication are noted as reliable and responsive, with the team willing to adjust timelines to fit the client’s needs.
Competitive pricing without cutting corners. These arborists offer fair rates and transparent quotes, making professional tree care accessible for most budgets.
Affordability and value are central themes in Pittsburgh-area feedback for Northwood Tree Care, with customers noting fair pricing for substantial pruning, cabling, and removal work. Several reviews mention they provide free estimates and thorough, transparent planning before work, helping clients understand costs up front. Even on large or complex jobs, clients consistently report that pricing is fair for the scope and outcomes, while the team emphasizes preservation and tree health. Customers also highlight that the crew cleans up thoroughly and sometimes takes on more debris than contracted, adding tangible value. Overall, Pittsburgh clients repeatedly note that Northwood delivers expert, preservation-focused tree care at reasonable rates, supported by clear communication and strong safety standards.