Category: Uncategorized

1. When did New Yorkers want tree removal the most?

Interest in tree removal in New York State peaked in July 2025 due to a cluster of severe storms that hit the entire state, paired with extreme heat waves. The heat stressed many already-weakened trees, while the storms caused a massive amount of fallen trees and utility poles, mainly in Central New York.

https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=today%205-y&geo=US-NY&q=%2Fg%2F11h_cmwxzx

2. What does tree removal cost?

Searches around “cost tree removal,” “cost of tree removal,” “average tree removal price” and more are some of the most common searches on the list. Every job is different: factors such as tree height, species, health, distance to the house or power lines, equipment needs (like cranes or bucket trucks), permits, and cleanup all affect final price.

A 50‑foot oak leaning over power lines, for example, may require crane-assisted removal, traffic control, and extensive debris handling, while a 20‑foot pine in an open yard can often be handled with smaller crews and equipment. That is why reputable companies avoid one-size-fits-all pricing and instead quote each job individually based on risk, access, and the homeowner’s goals.

3. Tree removal urgency

“Emergency tree removal” appears prominently in both top and rising Google queries, showing that many searches happen right after storms or when a tree suddenly looks unsafe. Homeowners are often reacting to fallen limbs on roofs, trees tangled in power lines, blocked driveways, or trees that start to lean or crack after high winds and heat stress.

This urgency also explains why searches spike in tight windows around major weather events: people are not casually researching; they are trying to solve a dangerous problem as quickly as possible.

4. Tree types

Google Trends data shows meaningful interest in both “large tree removal” and “small tree removal,” along with related entities like “tree stump” and “crane.” That suggests homeowners already understand that big, complex trees and small ornamental trees are different jobs with different risks and costs.​

It reinforces the idea that tailored pricing protects customers from overpaying for smaller jobs while ensuring serious hazards are handled with the right equipment

5. “Tree removal near me”

Queries like “tree removal near me,” “tree service near me,” “kingston tree removal,” “tree removal ulster county,” and “tree removal rhinebeck” show strong local intent. People want someone nearby who understands local ordinances, permitting rules, and how regional weather and soil conditions affect different tree species.

Working with local, family-owned businesses like ours is always a safe bet. Our family has been cutting down trees in the Ulster/Greene/Columbia/Dutchess County area since 1936, and we’re deeply familiar with the different kinds of trees, permits needed, and how to evaluate the health of local trees.

Managing trees on commercial property is a critical responsibility that extends far beyond aesthetics. For business owners in Ulster County and Dutchess County, New York, understanding tree removal requirements, regulations, and best practices can protect your investment, ensure safety, and keep your business compliant with local ordinances. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about commercial tree removal in the Hudson Valley region.

Understanding Local Regulations and Permit Requirements

Ulster County Municipalities

Tree removal regulations vary significantly by municipality throughout Ulster County. In Kingston, the largest city in the county, recent changes have made compliance more important than ever. As of February 2024, the City of Kingston increased fines for cutting down city-owned trees from $250 to $1,250. Trees located between the street and sidewalk are typically city-owned property, and removal requires authorization from the City Tree Commission. It’s certainly worth double-checking if you’re not sure.

Kingston’s draft Tree Preservation Ordinance requires Tree Maintenance/Removal Permits for work on Protected Trees within public rights of way and on public property. The ordinance establishes specific criteria for permit approval, including whether the tree poses a hazard, causes property damage, or affects public health and safety. It hasn’t been passed into law, and we cannot speculate if or when that will happen, but it may in 2026.

In New Paltz, regulations distinguish between village and town jurisdictions. Village shade trees, those located on public or private property within 20 feet from the edge of the curb or road pavement, cannot be removed without approval from the Shade Tree Commission. In the Town of New Paltz, trees seven feet tall or taller within 55 feet of the roadway center require a complete written application to the Town Building Inspector.

Other Ulster County communities like Saugerties have similar protections for public trees and trees within rights-of-way, typically requiring permission from the Village Clerk before any pruning or removal.

Dutchess County Municipalities

Dutchess County communities also maintain strict tree protection ordinances. In the Town of Poughkeepsie, no tree regulated under the local chapter can be cut or removed without first obtaining a tree removal permit. The town has established a detailed tree replacement schedule based on the diameter at breast height (DBH) of the removed tree, requiring multiple replacement trees for larger specimens.

Throughout both counties, working with street trees or trees near utilities requires coordination with multiple agencies and proper permitting from local departments of parks, public works, or planning.

Why Businesses Need Tree Removal Services

Safety and Liability

Commercial properties experience higher foot and vehicle traffic than residential properties, making tree safety a paramount concern. Weak, dying, or structurally compromised trees can drop branches or fall entirely, potentially causing serious injuries or death to employees, customers, or visitors. A single accident can result in costly lawsuits, workers’ compensation claims, and increased insurance premiums.

Trees near parking lots, walkways, buildings, or roadways present particularly high liability risks. Dead or diseased trees are unpredictable and pose ongoing threats until properly removed.

Infrastructure Protection

Tree roots can cause extensive damage to sidewalks, parking lots, building foundations, and underground utilities including sewer, gas, and electric lines. Untrimmed branches can interfere with power lines, signage, and buildings, creating both safety hazards and operational disruptions.

For businesses, this infrastructure damage can interrupt daily operations, inconvenience tenants and customers, and result in expensive emergency repairs.

Property Value and Aesthetics

Well-maintained trees enhance curb appeal and property values, creating welcoming environments for customers and employees. Conversely, dead, diseased, or overgrown trees detract from professional appearances and can signal neglect to potential customers.

Construction and Development

Ongoing construction around trees causes both immediate and long-term damage. If 50% of a tree’s root system becomes damaged during construction, immediate removal is typically necessary. Trees growing under power lines may need removal if they exceed 25 feet, as they pose considerable threats during storms.

Insurance and Liability Protection

Commercial tree service requires specialized insurance coverage that differs significantly from standard business policies. General liability insurance for tree service businesses operates in the excess and surplus lines market, which specializes in high-risk operations.

What Insurance Should Your Tree Company Have?

When hiring tree service companies for a commercial job, verify they carry:

• General Liability Insurance: Covers property damage and third-party bodily injury. For example, if a branch damages a neighboring building during removal, this policy covers repair costs and legal expenses.​
• Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Required by New York law for businesses employing personnel. This protects your business if workers are injured during tree removal operations.​
• Commercial Auto Insurance: Personal auto policies don’t cover vehicles used for business purposes. Commercial auto insurance covers accidents involving work trucks, trailers, and specialized equipment.
• Umbrella Liability Insurance: Provides additional coverage beyond general liability limits for large-scale contracts or valuable commercial properties.

Many homeowners and commercial property managers will not hire tree services without proof of insurance. Legitimate tree service companies in New York should readily provide certificates of insurance documenting adequate coverage.

Cost Considerations

Tree removal costs vary significantly based on multiple factors. Understanding these variables helps businesses budget appropriately and avoid unexpected expenses.

Factors Influencing Commercial Tree Removal Costs

Several variables affect final pricing:

• Tree size and species: Larger trees require more equipment, time, and labor
• Location and accessibility: Trees near buildings, power lines, or structures require specialized techniques and safety precautions, increasing costs
• Tree condition: Diseased or dead trees may be more dangerous and unpredictable to remove
• Terrain: Difficult terrain or remote locations add equipment transport charges
• Additional services: Stump grinding ($100-$350 per stump), debris removal, and site cleanup add to total costs
• Permit fees: Municipal permit fees may apply
• Emergency removal: The timing and urgency of the removal may affect the final price quote

What Makes Commercial Tree Removal Complicated

Commercial tree removal involves complexities that exceed typical residential jobs, such as more complex locations that require crane-assisted removals and complex rigging, tighter deadlines to accommodate customer hours and traffic, higher liability, and multiple stakeholders like tenants, contractors and utility comparnies.

How We Approach Tree Removal for Commercial Clients

Our comprehensive commercial tree removal service typically includes:

1. Site visit and assessment: An arborist evaluates tree condition, removal complexity, hazards, and develops a strategy
2. Detailed proposal: Written scope of work, cost breakdown, and scheduling options
3. Stakeholder coordination: Communication with facility managers, tenants, contractors, and utility companies
4. Permit acquisition: Managing applications and approval processes with local municipalities
5. Safe removal: Following ANSI Z133 safety protocols with controlled work zones, signage, and barriers
6. Cleanup and restoration: Complete debris removal and site preparation for any replanting or landscaping

Protecting Your Business Investment

Tree removal is a strategic business decision that affects safety, liability, property value, and regulatory compliance. For businesses in Ulster County and Dutchess County, understanding local regulations, working with properly insured professionals, and timing projects appropriately can save money while protecting your most important assets: your employees, customers, and property.

Before removing any trees on your commercial property, consult with local planning departments to verify permit requirements, work with certified arborists to assess tree health and removal necessity, and always verify contractor insurance and credentials. With proper planning and professional guidance, tree removal can enhance your property’s safety, appearance, and long-term value while keeping your business in full compliance with Hudson Valley regulations.

Give Expert Tree Service a call at 845-331-6782 or contact us to book your tree removal consultation today.

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.

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.

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

In this blog post, we are presenting the testimonial and before/after pictures of a tree removal in Kingston, NY, with a homeowner who had a beloved but dying ash tree on his property that needed to be taken care of. It’s old news in the Hudson Valley that the spread of the invasive ash borer has made it all but impossible for ash trees to survive.

According to the Ecological Research Institute, the local fatality rates for ash trees as of 2022 ranged from:

Assessing the Tree

There are interventions that can be done to extend the lives of trees that are declining. This ash tree had been trimmed in years past, but it was clear that it was rotting on the inside.

The homeowner made arrangements with us and we had very clear communication about the size and cost of the job, when we’d be there, how long we anticipated it would take, and the steps we’d take to protect his property and clean up after the job.

In the late morning, the job began as we started to cut down the lower branches of the tree:

We took every precaution to have a small footprint on the surrounding neighborhood while ensuring safety:

About an hour into the job, most of the lower branches had been removed:

Using time-tested cabling methods, we were able to ensure that after cutting of the top half of the tree, at least 100 feet up, the result hung harmlessly in the air rather than dropping to the ground or hitting the customer’s house.

With the top half of the tree gone, we then got to work on the thicker bottom half. In this video you can see our crew continuously cleaning the surrounding area.

Eventually, the trunk came down, and it was clear that the tree was rotting from the inside and didn’t have much time left:

The customer, based in Kingston, wrote afterwards: “It gives us such peace of mind knowing that the tree was safely taken down and is no longer looming over our house during every wind or snowstorm. Expert Tree Service lived up their name and did a great job taking down the tree and cleaning up after.”