Our Organization

NYC Tree Pit Services has a simple mission of improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers.

Street trees are so critical to making our city livable. They improve the quality of the air we breathe, cool our buildings and communities, keep our streets cleaner, provide a much-needed connection to our natural selves, and instill beauty and a sense of pride in our neighborhoods. 

Yet so many of our street trees and beds are damaged, dangerous or filthy. Even for the most ambitious of us, the process for improving street trees and tree pits can feel lengthy, bureaucratic and prohibitively expensive. This is the need that we fill.

We feel strongly that decisive action from the business community is critical to combating the existential threat of climate change. That is why we strive to:

• Source organic products from local farms and nurseries whenever possible
• Avoid use of fertilizers, pesticides and chemically treated lumber
• Use construction materials that are recycled or sustainably harvested
• Minimize the carbon footprint and landfill use from our business operations

Above all, we donate 10% of our profit to organizations and initiatives that share our mission to combat climate change and protect our planet’s natural resources. When you work with NYC Tree Pit Services, you support a greener NYC and a healthier planet!

Karen Horvat, Founder, has been contributing to the NYC business community for more than 20 years.  At one of the world's best banks for sustainable finance, Ms. Horvat specialized in operational efficiency and executing complex global strategies. She served on the US Climate Council, was a US Sustainability Champion and chaired the Executive Committee of Strategic Initiatives for the bank's gender equality resource group. 

Originally from the Chicago area and the daughter of a contractor, Ms. Horvat is grounded with Midwest sensibility, has a deep appreciation for the challenges and opportunities of this industry and enjoys rolling up her sleeves both in the field and in the office. Ms. Horvat has a BS in Industrial Management from Purdue University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.