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In the Hudson Valley, we love our trees, which makes the decision to remove a tree difficult sometimes. It’s an easy decision if a tree is clearly diseased or dying, and constitutes a risk to human life and property.

But what if your tree is healthy? It’s possible that if your tree is too close to your house that it is causing moisture issues that can threaten the foundation of your house. This is especially true in the Hudson Valley, which has an older housing stock than most regions and has a lot of rainfall; preserving too much moisture next to your house can cause long-term issues.

Looking to trim or remove a tree that’s close to your house? Give Expert Tree Service a call at (845) 331-6782 to schedule a consultation..

The Hudson Valley’s Soil Characteristics by Town

The first consideration about trees, moisture and proximity to your home is soil.

In Kingston, for example, there is a mix of moderately well-draining soil like loams in upland areas, and poorly draining silt or clay soils in flat areas. In Poughkeepsie, there’s generally good drainage due to a mix of loam and silt loam.

In Saugerties and Catskill, the eastern lowlands have heavy, silty and clayey soils with slow drainage, while higher ground has loams with moderate drainage.

If your soil doesn’t drain well, it means that a tree could block out the sun and prevent it from drying out, which could pose long-term issues for your home.

The Hudson Valley’s Housing Stock by Town

The housing stock in all four communities that we’re focusing on is considerably old, with a large share built before 1960.

The Hudson Valley’s Rain Totals and Freeze-Thaw Cycles

The Hudson Valley has a humid climate with precipitation throughout the year. In recent years, we’ve had as little as 33 inches of rain (2020) and as much as 50 inches of rain (2023).

Rain, combined with poorly draining soil and a tree close to your home, can amplify the importance of freeze-thaw cycles which can cause frost wedging in masonry as water freezes, expands, and then thaws.

In recent years, we’ve averaged around 110 freeze-thaw days a year.

How Close is too Close for Trees?

With all of this in mind, it’s recommended that trees should be the following distances from your home:

• Small Trees (under 30 foot tall) – 10-15 feet away
• Medium Trees (30 to 70 foot tall) – 15- 20 feet away
• Large Trees (70+ foot tall) – 20 -40 feet away at minimum

These distances will help prevent moisture and structural problems. Large tree roots seek water and can exploit foundation cracks or plumbing if planted too close. Overhanging limbs can drop excessive water near the foundation and abrade the roof in wind. By following the above spacing, homeowners can enjoy shade benefits while minimizing risk. It’s also wise to avoid planting directly over septic fields or too near sidewalks/driveways (to prevent uplift from roots).

Soil quality and drainage also matter: in wet soils, roots may stay shallow and spread farther laterally.

When It Makes Sense to Remove a Tree Proactively

Based on everything we’ve covered, here’s our conclusion about when you should consider removing a tree proactively:

• When it’s too close to your home the roots may cause damage and the canopy may trap moisture (depending on the tree size)
• If soil around the foundation is damp or heaving – if you see moss, algae or puddling around the perimeter, mud that never dries, cracks or shifts in basement walls, or visible roots in foundation cracks.
• If it’s a high risk species – some species are inherently problematic near foundations. Silver maples, willows, poplar all have aggressive roots. Softwoods like spruce or fir have shallow roots and dense shade. Large oaks have huge canopies and root systems.
• If the tree is leaning or the soil has shifted.

Bottom line: if a tree is close, downhill, deep-shading, or on wet clay soil, removal is usually the smart long-term move, especially near older homes. Once it’s gone, you can replant smarter: farther out, with smaller native trees that are less aggressive and better adapted to our region.

One of the biggest pressures about tree removal decisions in the Hudson Valley is the feeling of responsibility to your community.

Trees are important to communities. Many of our local towns and cities are certified as Tree Cities, meaning that they keep track of their trees and are actively trying to increase the number of trees that can be responsibly planted.

But if you are not thrilled with your tree, whether its placement, its species, its threat to hurting people or damaging property, its vulnerability to invasives, or other factors, you may be hesitant to cut it down out of a sense of duty.

But if you replace it with a tree that you’re thrilled with, and place it in safely in the exact place that it belongs, then you’re doing a great service to your community.

And generally in the Hudson Valley, we are blessed to live in communities that have plenty of trees already that can pick up the slack while you replace your tree with something else.

Using American Forests’ Tree Equity Score data, we can actually rank local towns by how many trees they have per person and how much of the landscape is covered by tree canopy. That gives homeowners a clearer sense of:

• Whether their neighborhood is relatively tree-rich or tree-poor
• How much pressure trees may be putting on older homes, foundations, roofs, and septic systems
• When it might be time to remove a problem tree—and what to plant instead

This post walks through eleven Hudson Valley towns Expert Tree Service frequently works in. If you are ready get your trees removed or trimmed by some of the most trusted experts in the Hudson Valley, give us a call at 845-331-6782.

Tree Rankings: Most Trees per Person, Town by Town

Trees per person is a helpful way to compare how tree-dense different communities are. Below is a ranking from most to fewest trees per person, with overall canopy cover for each town’s urban area:

Remember: these numbers are for the urban areas in each town, not the entire town including deep forest. But they still give a solid snapshot of how tree-rich each place is.

1. La Grange

The Town of La Grange in Dutchess County leads the way with 37.1 trees per person and a very high 64% tree canopy cover of 64%.

2. Hyde Park

Hyde Park has 31.8 trees per person and a 74% tree canopy cover. According to our blog post about permits needed to cut down Hudson Valley trees, they have some guardrails in place to protect trees along right-of-ways.

3. Saugerties

In our hometown of Saugerties, we can boast that we have 25.6 trees per capita and a 57% tree cover rate. In a previous blog post, we found that tree removal laws in Saugerties are robust to help protect public trees, park trees and right of way trees.

4. Hurley

In Ulster County’s town of Hurley, there are 24.6 trees per capita and a tree cover of 59%. This is despite a recent blog post on tree injuries finding a brutal 100% fatality rate for ash trees in West Hurley due to the ash borer.

5. Town of Ulster

The Town of Ulster has 22.1 trees per capita and a tree cover rate of 48%.

6. Lloyd

The Town of Lloyd in Ulster County has 21.8 trees per capita and a high cover rate of 61%. According to a recent blog post, they have a high number of oaks, maples and birches.

7. 19th Congressional District

The 19th Congressional District, used as a stand-in for the area as a whole, has 19.3 trees per capita in urban areas and a 56% tree cover rate. These numbers represent a general baseline for the region.

8. Catskill

In the Town of Catskill in Greene County, there are 19.1 trees per capita and a cover rate of 54%. A recent blog post found that some of the most common trees in town are the Norway maple, the Bradford pear, and the Silver maple.

9. New Paltz

In the Town of New Paltz, there are 16 trees per capita and a 66% tree cover rate. According to a recent blog post, this Certified Tree City USA’s most common trees include the Norway Maple, the Sugar Maple and the Eastern Red Cedar.

10. Wawarsing (Including Ellenville)

In the Town of Wawarsing in Western Ulster County, there’s are 10.3 trees per capita with a 48% cover rate.

11. Poughkeepsie

Hudson Valley cities, with more people and less open space for trees, are understandably at the bottom of the list. Poughkeepsie is no exception, with 8.7 trees per capita and 52% tree canopy cover. Owing to its density, Poughkeepsie has some simple tree removal laws that help people remove trees before they endanger pedestrians and motorists alike.

12. Kingston

The City of Kingston has 7.6 trees per capita and 52% tree canopy cover. The tree removal laws may be changing soon, and from the last tree survey, their most common trees were Norway Maple, Thornless Honey Locust and Ornamental Pear.

Homeowners have a lot going on, and tree care usually isn’t front of mind. If a tree looks like it’s going to become a hazard, then that’s when the majority of people start thinking about tree removal services.

After removing a tree, it can take decades for a replacement tree to reach the same height, size and beauty, while providing less shade along the way.

But what if there was a better way for your trees, that could extend their life, increase the value of your property, and only remove them when it’s absolutely necessary? It’s not just knowing when to trim or maintain a tree, but also how. Every tree and property is different, but we’ll tell you all about it below.

Need help maintaining your trees in the Hudson Valley? Call us at Expert Tree Service; our number is 845-331-6782.

Winter (December – February): The Safest Time for Tree Removal

Winter is an ideal time for tree removal. The trees are dormant, the frozen soil minimizes wear and tear from equipment on your property. If your garden surrounds the tree, you won’t have to worry about branches damaging nearby plants during the work. It’s also much easier to bring in equipment when there aren’t delicate blooms in the way.

You’ll also have more time to move dormant plants that could end up getting too much sunlight once the tree is gone. And by scheduling the work in early winter, you’ll stay ahead of any major snowstorms.

Spring (March – May): Perfect for Pruning & Growth Checks

In the spring, trees and homeowners alike begin to awaken from dormancy. As people head outside into their yards, it is the perfect time for pruning and assessing your trees’ health after months of snow, wind, and ice.

Winter storms can cause invisible structural stress, cracked limbs, or weakened joints. Early spring pruning helps remove damaged branches before new growth starts, allowing the tree to channel its energy into healthy development. It’s also the best time to shape younger trees and improve airflow within mature canopies.

However, timing is key; avoid pruning early bloomers such as dogwoods or ornamental cherries until after their flowers fade, to ensure a full bloom season. As temperatures rise, keep an eye out for local pests emerging early, including gypsy moths, woolly adelgids, and aphids, which can quickly spread through weakened trees.

Summer (June – August): Light Trimming and Pest Prevention

The emphasis in the summer is on maintenance and vigilance. Your trees are in full growth mode, which means your goal should be light trimming, not major cuts. Heavy pruning during this time can stress the tree and make it vulnerable to pests and disease.

Instead, focus on thinning out small branches for better airflow, sunlight, and aesthetics, especially around walkways, roofs, or power lines. Inspect your trees regularly for signs of distress, such as wilting leaves, brown edges, or dead limbs that didn’t recover from spring growth.

Summer droughts are common in the Hudson Valley, so consistent deep watering is critical. Consider adding mulch (without piling it up into a dreaded mulch volcano) around the base of trees to retain soil moisture and prevent root damage. This is also an ideal time for tree feeding services, replenishing the nutrients that heat and dry soil can deplete.

Fall (September – November): Hazard Prep Before Winter Storms

Fall is the Hudson Valley’s final opportunity to prepare for the harsh winter ahead. As leaves drop and branches become more visible, it’s the perfect time to remove weak or diseased limbs that could snap under heavy snow or ice.

This is also the best season to schedule cabling and bracing services, especially for older or structurally compromised trees. Supporting vulnerable limbs now can prevent breakage and expensive damage later.

Finally, add a fresh layer of mulch around the base of trees to insulate roots and lock in moisture before the freeze sets in.

And remember, if winter storms do strike, Expert Tree Service offers 24/7 emergency storm response throughout Ulster, Greene, Dutchess, and Columbia counties.

When It’s Too Late to Wait

Some tree problems can’t wait for the right season. If you notice leaning trunks, hollow sounds when tapping the bark, mushrooms or fungus growing near the base, or cracking soil around roots, these could be signs of serious internal decay or instability.

Ignoring these red flags can lead to property damage or injury if the tree fails during a storm. When in doubt, give us a call at 845-331-6782.

Since March of 2025, a new City of Kingston tree removal ordinance has been moving forward, foretelling major changes in how tree removal will be regulated. While the new Tree Preservation Ordinance isn’t law yet, it’s worth understanding now, especially if you have large or aging trees on your private property.

Acting now, before the ordinance passes, may save you time, money, and headaches.

Why the City Wants This Law

The stated reasons for the proposed ordinance are:

• To promote and protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the City’s inhabitants by providing for the preservation, regulation, planting, maintenance, and removal of trees.
• To reduce city and public costs for cooling, stormwater drainage control, and small particulate matter air filtering.
• To preserve the substantial value of trees to the community as a whole.

Big Changes for Homeowners

Right now in the City of Kingston, there are penalties for removing a tree that’s on public property, such as in between the sidewalk and the street. However, the new draft tree preservation law would require a permit for removing many trees that are on your private property, and have a major impact on what you do after the removal, such as paying a fee or replacing the tree with another one.

What Are Protected Trees?

If passed, City of Kingston residents may need a city permit to remove certain trees on private property.
Protected trees would be defined by:

• Any tree of any size located on public property or in the public right-of-way.
• A single-trunk tree or a multi-stem tree with at least one stem that has a Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) of six inches or greater and is located on private property.
• A tree planted as a Replacement Tree, regardless of its size.

Possible exemptions include trees posing an immediate hazard, diseased or dying trees, or smaller ornamental species.

Tree Maintenance and Removal Permits

A Tree Maintenance/Removal Permit is required for specific actions related to Protected Trees on private property. This includes:

• The removal of a Protected Tree.
• Pruning 30% or more of the tree’s living crown in a single growing season.
• Pruning healthy, undamaged limbs that are greater than 8 inches in diameter.
• Excavating roots within the Critical Root Zone.

You will not need a permit for routine maintenance and pruning on private property. This includes removing dead or damaged limbs, pruning to correct poor form, and pruning for building clearance. However, the ordinance recommends that a Certified Arborist perform tree maintenance.

Heritage Trees

The draft ordinance identifies “Heritage Trees” as being particularly valuable. A tree is classified as a Heritage Tree if it meets any of the following criteria:

• It has a DBH of 20 inches or more.
• It is a native Oak (Quercus spp) or Hickory (Carya spp) with a DBH of 10 inches or more.
• It is a protected native plant designated by the New York State Compilation of Codes with a DBH of 3 inches or more.

Homeowners must also provide written notification to all neighboring property owners and occupants within a 100-foot radius when requesting authorization to remove a healthy Heritage Tree. This notice must be given at least 14 days before the City Tree Commission reviews the permit application.

Jointly Owned Trees

If any part of a tree’s trunk is on the boundary line between two or more properties, it is considered a “Jointly Owned Tree”. To remove such a tree, all property owners must submit a signed Jointly Owned Tree Removal Form along with the permit application.

Invasive and Exempt Species

The ordinance lists certain species as “Invasive,” and the requirement for replacement trees or fees for removal of these species is waived. However, a Tree Removal Permit is still needed for removing an invasive species on public property or in the public right-of-way.

The list of invasive species includes:

• Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)
• Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)
• Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)
• Glossy Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula)
• Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)
• Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
• White Mulberry (Morus alba)

Certain vegetation is on an “Exempt Species List,” which means a Tree Removal Permit is not required for them. This list includes Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), Sumac (Rhus), and Yew (Taxus spp.). The Urban Forester can also determine other woody shrubs or bushes to be exempt.

Replacement Trees

Here’s where it gets complicated:

Residents must plant a replacement tree or pay a fee to the city when a Protected Tree is removed and not replaced with a new one that meets the ordinance’s standards. This also applies if a healthy Heritage Tree is removed. The value of the removed tree is calculated using the Trunk Formula Technique, which considers the cross-sectional area of the tree and a unit tree cost . This value is called the “Basic Reproduction Cost”. The final amount is adjusted by deducting the appropriate condition percentage from the basal area. For the removal of a healthy Heritage Tree, there is an additional fee of $150 per inch based on its size.

If a tree is removed without a permit, the property owner is jointly liable with their agent and must replace the tree at 100% of its environmental value. Environmental value is determined using the iTree methodology provided by the U.S. Forest Service, the Arbor Day Foundation’s National Tree Benefit Calculator, or another approved method. The replacement tree(s) must match the environmental values (gallons of stormwater absorption and pounds of CO2 removal) of the removed tree(s) when they reach a trunk DBH of eight inches. This is not required for the removal of invasive species.

Based on the draft ordinance, replacement trees must be a species approved by the Urban Forester and referenced on the City-Approved Tree Species List. This list is separate from the ordinance and can be found on the City of Kingston’s website. Species on the Invasive or Undesirable Species Lists are not permitted as replacement trees. The ordinance recommends planting native species to promote biodiversity and support local ecosystems.

The location for replacement trees must be satisfactory to the Urban Forester, taking into account the topography and potential for stormwater runoff. The trees cannot be planted in a location that will conflict with above- or below-ground utilities, paved surfaces, or public safety. The ordinance specifies minimum distances from intersections, utility poles, and other infrastructure, as well as spacing requirements between trees of different sizes. Sources

Penalties for Violations

Unauthorized removal of a Protected Tree is defined as any action without city approval that causes the tree to die within two years of the action. The property owner and their agent are jointly liable for any violations of the ordinance. Penalties for removing a tree without a permit and without an approved replacement tree(s) of equal value shall be a fine reflecting the tree’s value.

What You Can Do Now

As of August of 2025, the bill is not law. It’s time to check and identify your aging, diseased and hazardous trees, and strategically plan removals. Doing so now could prevent extra steps, red tape and replacement costs.

We Can Help

Whether you need a health assessment, strategic removal, or just advice on which trees to keep, our team can guide you through the process now and once the ordinance is in place. Call us today at 845-331-6782 to schedule your pre-ordinance tree evaluation and take the guesswork out of your property’s future.

With New York State’s new wetland rules now in effect, many homeowners near Esopus Creek are unsure if they need permits for tree removal. It’s estimated that a couple thousand local homeowners live within a quarter mile radius of the Creek, which begins originates at Winnisook Lake on the slopes of Slide Mountain and runs for 65 miles into the Hudson River in our hometown of Saugerties.

The good news? The vast majority of tree work, especially for homeowners, near the creek requires a lengthy or expensive permit process. But the rules have changed as of January 1, 2025, and it’s worth knowing when a quick general permit applies, and when you need to do more, as fines for noncompliance can range from $5,000 to 50,000.

A New Landscape: DEC’s Expanded Wetland Rules

On January 1, 2025, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) enacted new regulations under its Freshwater Wetlands Protection Program. These changes:

• Expanded the definition and mapping of protected wetlands and adjacent areas
• Increased DEC jurisdiction statewide by over one million acres
• Created a new general permit (GP-0-25-003) to simplify approval for routine activities, including tree removal

So yes, protections are broader. But no, that doesn’t mean you need a lawyer you want to take down a tree.

General Permit = Simpler Process

As of January 1, 2025, DEC General Permit GP-0-25-003 covers most common tree removal activities near wetlands or Esopus Creek, including:

• Removing dead, diseased, or hazardous trees
• Selective cutting of non-native species
• Invasive species management (e.g., Norway Maple)
• Routine maintenance and minor vegetation clearing

If your property qualifies, this means that there’s no lengthy application process, no permit costs and minimal delays.

When You Need More Than a General Permit

However, if any of the following apply, you may need a jurisdictional determination or individual permit:

• You’re removing trees as part of construction or development
• You’re within 100 feet of Esopus Creek and the work could disturb the streambank
• You’re in a designated wetland of unusual importance
• You’re doing large-scale clearing or altering grade, slope, or soil stability
• Your property is in a newly regulated area under the 2025 wetlands expansion and hasn’t yet been mapped

This permit is statewide and applies to many properties near Esopus Creek as long as the total disturbance is under certain thresholds (usually 1/10 of an acre for wetlands or adjacent areas).

Who is Affected?

You can check out New York State’s Environmental Resource Mapper here, which has layers that show a radius of what are considered surrounding wetlands of the Esopus Creek and other estuaries.

It’s estimated that about 2 to 10% of Ulster County’s total housing stock is within a 300-foot wetland buffer. If you’re not 100% sure of where you stand with this, you can request a Parcel Jurisdictional Determination here, which can take up to 90 days.

What Ulster County Homeowners Should Do

Ultimately, we have had a lot of experience over the years in navigating these situations with homeowners. Dealing with the bureaucracy is never certain for the uninitiated, but with our help, we can make sure that you get your trees removed or trimmed without risking a fine, and more importantly, while respecting your property and leaving no trace behind.

For the last four years, we’ve been requesting reviews for our business on our Google Business profile. We’ve only gotten five-star reviews, and today, we’re going to share the results of doing some sentiment analysis and looking for common themes on our reviews of our tree removal business.

Sentiment Analysis

We’ve gotten 66 five-star reviews, and the sentiment seems to be extremely positive:

• Responsiveness and speed were mentioned in 25 reviews
• Professionalism was mentioned in 45 reviews
• Our post-job cleanups were mentioned in 35 reviews
• Our safety and equipment were mentioned in 30 reviews
• Our value and fair pricing was in 20 reviews
• Our emergency response and storm damage service were in 10 reviews
• Veteran-owned/local/family-owned pride were mentioned in 6 reviews

Here are some of our favorite excerpts and themes:

Fast Response Matters

Multiple reviewers praised Expert Tree Service for showing up quickly with full crews ready to go:

“We had a tree fall on our house making a large hole in the roof… They rearranged their schedule, removed the tree, and expertly tarped the roof—all for a reasonable price.” – Todd M.

“They saved my kitten from a 60ft spruce tree today!” – Jessica S.

Unmatched Professionalism and Clean-Up

Customers have been blown away by our team’s care, precision and how the property was left spotless.

“If the FBI came to investigate, they wouldn’t know a tree crew had been here.” – Christopher D.

“They leaf-blowed the driveway as they left. That’s the kind of detail we’re talking about.” – K.M.

Honest Advice that Puts the Homeowner First

We don’t force anyone to do a bigger job than necessary. Several reviews note that our owner, Keith, talked them out of removing healthy trees and helped them prioritize safety and cost-effectiveness over unnecessary extra work.

“Keith guided us on which trees to trim and which to leave, leaving money on the table to do right by us.” – Michael C.

Family-Owned with Community Roots

We aren’t owned by some corporation with sales quotas. We are a multi-generation, veteran-led company.

“Keith is a veteran and a volunteer who stepped up during Hurricane Helene. This guy gets it.” – Jamie H.

“They even rescued a nest full of baby squirrels—no casualties!” – Brent V.

Affordable and Fair

Several customers mentioned our fair pricing.

“The price was HALF what another tree company quoted us.” – Jacqueline M.

“They did 8 trees in a single morning and left our lawn better than they found it. 10/10.” – Phil N.

Equipped for Challenging Jobs

We have the equipment on hand for both the smallest and biggest jobs imaginable.

“They brought in a $750,000 crane with THE CLAW. It looked like something out of a Transformer movie.” – Jamie H.

“They had to hike through the woods to reach our family cabin—and still finished the job perfectly.” – Eric E.

Real People, Real Respect

Reviewers consistently shout out Keith, Rachel, Kevin, and the rest of the crew by name, not just for being good at their jobs, but for being kind, honest, and easy to work with.

“From the first phone call to the last cut, I knew I hired the right professionals.” – Eric E.

“Rachel runs the show. Always pleasant, great communication.” – Multiple reviews

As you can imagine, these reviews are a two-way street. We love serving our customers, and they share the love in return. If you’re in need of tree services in the Hudson Valley and Catskills region, give us a call at (845) 331-6782.

If your tree looks sick, bare, or damaged, you might be wondering: can it be saved? Or is it time to let it go? Here in the Hudson Valley, especially in towns like Kingston, New Paltz, and Rhinebeck, we see this question come up constantly. This quick guide will help you spot the signs and make the right call.

Healthy trees, with the right mix of soil, sun, water and fertilizer can last a very long time. However, a combinations of not-ideal conditions and the intrusion of invasive species and emergent diseases can rip through otherwise healthy trees in the Hudson Valley, leaving to a need for immediate tree removal services.

The idea of different tree diseases and invasive species is not new, but it is always evolving. In this blog post, we’re going to dig through the archives of Ulster County and Dutchess County, NY to show some of the ways that tree disease has affected our local trees since the late 1800s.

Early 1900s: The Chestnut Catastrophe

First reported at the New York Zoological Garden in the Bronx in 1908, the fungus Cryphonectria parasitica wiped out three billion of the East Coast’s once-dominant American chestnut trees by the 1960s. One critical lesson learned from fighting chestnut blight was that the solution lied in adapting the host species with tree maintenance services, rather than simply fighting the blight itself.

1919: Kingston Selected as Model City for Tree Planting

In the early 1900s, Kingston was actually known for its trees. The New York State College of Forestry issued a tree survey that identified a number of tree diseases in the city, like chestnut blight, which wiped out most of the chestnut trees in the Northeast. It notes an “elm leaf beetle,” as well as a leopard moth and white-marked tussock moth that were defoliating trees. There were also a number of fungal diseases in the region.

The study also suggested a number of ideal trees that are common in Kingston today, such as Norway Maples, Red Maples, Sugar Maples, Red Oak, Pin Oak, and more.

1930s: Dutch Elm Disease

Dutch Elm Disease made it to the United States via New York City’s imported elm logs from Europe in the 1930s. It caused the death of millions of American elms via elm bark beetles, and devastated trees that were planted in close proximity, which was the practice of urban planners at the time. In 1948, it seems to have reached Kingston, with the Daily Freeman writing “the Dutch Elm disease year by year extends its threat of destruction to these fine trees over a wider area… the blight which destroyed the native chestnuts in the East and Midwest early in the century is recalled.”

1955: Kingston Engages in Aerial Spraying

While there are mixed reports on the effects of spraying, the Mayor of Kingston in 1955 reported that after undertaking an aerial spraying campaign, “the lack of insects and other tree diseases was most noticeable. Our trees are part of the beauty of our city, and I feel we should do all we can to protect them.”

1961: New York Warns of Ash Disease

The State Conservation department warned that an unidentified disease was starting to kill ash trees in the state. This was a precursor to the late 2000s advent of the ash borer disease that has afflicted our area.

1968: Ulster Garden Club Discusses Importance of Tree Trimming to Prevent Disease

In the late 1960s, the City of Kingston had a beautification committee that planted many of the trees along city streets that residents enjoy today. They shared insights from an “exhaustive” Washington D.C. study that showed how tree-trimming, tree removal, disease and insect controls and maintenance are necessary to preserve a city’s trees.

1985: Poughkeepsie Dogwoods Hit by Anthracnose

Poughkeepsie’s 4th ward Alderman warned the city of a “silent killer” of dogwoods known as “anthracnose,” also known as lower-branch disease. He said the first sign of the disease is a purple growth on the leaves.

2009–Present: The Emerald Ash Borer Wipes Out Ash Trees in the Hudson Valley

Ash trees once made up 7% of the biomass in New York State’s forests, with white, black, and green ash thriving across the Hudson Valley. That changed rapidly after the arrival of an invasive beetle from East Asia: the emerald ash borer (EAB). First detected in New York in 2009, and in the Hudson Valley by 2010–2012, this tiny insect has brought towering change, leaving behind stark gray skeletons where lush ash canopies once stood. In areas like Kingston, Saugerties, and Phoenicia, mortality rates of mature ash trees have now reached 99%. The EAB lays its eggs in the bark, and once hatched, the larvae burrow through the tree’s vascular system, cutting off water and nutrients. The infestation spreads faster than nearly any other forest pest ever recorded in North America.

Need help navigating tree disease? Our tree trimming and tree removal services can help you either save your tree or safely move on to your next one. Give us a call at (845) 331-6782 to book a consultation today!

As a tree removal and trimming company that serves the Mid-Hudson Valley, we are deeply attuned to the long-term arboreal trends of our region. One of the best meta sources for information on these trends is called i-Tree Landscape, which aggregates data from a number of federal and non-profit sources to provide a comprehensive overview of land use, tree cover, tree types, and trends across large areas.

We dug into the latest data to get the latest information. Here’s what we found:

1. What are the Dominant Forest Types of the Hudson Valley?

According to the latest statistics, these are the top ecological groupings of trees in the Hudson Valley:

These are the second most common groupings:

Two tree groups dominate the landscape of the Mid-Hudson Valley: the maple/beech/birch grouping as well as oak/hickory. These forests are beautiful, but these species are also vulnerable for storm damage and pests.

2. Ulster County has the Most Tree Volume; By Far

Measured by the total tree basal area (which means tree mass per square foot), Ulster County stands heads and shoulders above its neighbors. This is partly owing to the fact that large areas of Ulster County are preserved from developed due to being the host community for the Ashokan Reservoir as well as Catskill Park.

3. What are the most common trees across the region?

According to their “total basal area,” the top trees in the region are Maple trees (1.6 square miles), Oak (1 square mile), Sugar Maple (0.98 square miles), and Northern Red Oak (0.68 square miles). These trees all appear prominently in our town-by-town breakdowns of common tree species, like in Rhinebeck, New Paltz, Catskill and Poughkeepsie.

4. How Much Developed Open Space Does the Hudson Valley Have?

“Developed, open space” as defined by i-Tree refers to grassy or lightly-built areas, such as large residential yards, parks and golf courses.

Considerations to make for tree services in these areas are that trees are often landscape and beautifying anchors of parks, large yards and golf courses. It’s important to choose a tree removal company that can respect the aesthetics of your property and leave no trace behind.

5. How Much Developed, Low-Intensity Space is there in the Hudson Valley?

This usually means single-family zoned housing areas that have built surfaces and tree hazards like driveways, roofs and sidewalks.

For areas that have single-family homes in a neighborhood, there are a number of considerations for tree services. Small errors can cause major property damage, lawsuits and insurance claims, which is why experience, insurance, and well-maintained equipment are a must.

Many single-family homes also have buried electric lines, irrigation systems, gas lines, septic tanks and other infrastructure near tree roots, which is why proper preparation and double-checking is critical. We also strive to not leave behind turf damage, tire ruts and not damage any garden beds or hardscaping in our trimming or tree removal jobs.

6. How Much Developed, Medium to High Intensity Space is there in the Hudson Valley?

These are highly-developed urban and commercial districts that require the greatest amount of care when it comes to tree removal.

The more development and density, the more delicate tree removal becomes. In a single-family home neighborhood, a tree might be overlooking a house, a garage, a yard; in a more urban environment, a tree can be overhanging several buildings, several apartments, a parking lot, traffic lights, power lines, glass storefronts, HVAC units, sidewalks, and multiple streets. A small limb drop could cause thousands of dollars of damage.

That’s why crane-assisted tree removal is the safest method in tight urban environments.

7. What Percentage of the Hudson Valley is Developed?

If you aggregate the percentages of developed open space, as well as low intensity, medium intensity and highly-intensive developed space, you get an aggregate of how much of the Hudson Valley is developed:

• Columbia County: 9% developed
• Dutchess County: 17% developed
• Greene County: 7.4% developed
• Ulster County: 8.8% developed

Do you need help removing or trimming a tree in Columbia, Dutchess, Greene or Ulster County? Give us a call at 845-331-6782 to schedule a consultation today.

The Wallkill Valley region is a subset of the Hudson Valley; for us in Ulster County, it is bordered by the Shawangunk Ridge to the West and the Marlboro Mountains to the east. There are some specific features of the trees of the Wallkill Valley, which includes towns we serve like Esopus, Lloyd, Marlborough, New Paltz, Plattekill and Rosendale that inform our work at Expert Tree Service.

As a tree company that has provided tree removal and tree maintenance services in region since 1936, here are some of the Wallkill Valley-specific things we’ve noticed:

• Native tree thrive: This region is predominantly stocked with native hardwoods, including birches, maples and oaks, alongside native conifers like eastern hemlock and white pine. Although you can plant many kinds of trees, the native ones are most likely to respond well to the local soil, rainfall and temperature conditions.
• Drought-friendly soil: There are never hard and fast rules about how much rain we’ll get, or when. Luckily, the soil of the Wallkill Valley is thin and well-draining, especially along the many ridges and rocky areas.
• Floodplains and swamps: There are a number of wetlands, creeks and floodplains in the region; if your home is close to one, you may want to consider planting red maple, swamp white oak, or sycamore. They can handle occasional flooding.

Here’s a further, town-by-town breakdown of unique Wallkill Valley features as they relate to trees:

Esopus

Total Forested Area: 15,448 acres
Forest Types: Hardwood & Mixed Forests
Notable Trees (Upland): Pitch pines, red oak, sugar maple, shagbark
Notable Trees (Swampy areas): Red maple, green ash, white oak
Notable Trees (Near Hudson River): Sycamore, eastern red cedar

Lloyd

Total Forested Area: 10,005 acres
Forest Types: Hardwood, Mixed forests, orchards
Notable trees: Oaks, maples and birches

Marlborough

Total Forested Area: 5,691 acres
Forest Types: Hardwood, Mixed forests, orchards
Notable trees: Fruit trees, sugar maple, black cherry, American beech

New Paltz

Total Forested Area: 9,835 acres
Forest Types: Hardwood & Mixed forests
Notable trees: Hemlock, sycamore, silver maple

Plattekill

Total Forested Area: 9,484 acres
Forest Types: Hardwood, mixed forests, orchards
Notable trees: Mature red pine, conifers and deciduous trees

Rosendale

Total Forested Area: 7,417 acres
Forest Types: Hardwood, mixed and coniferous forests
Notable trees: Hemlocks and mixed hardwoods