Tree Removal & Trimming Service in Kingston, NY

Expert Tree Service has been taking care of trees in Kingston since 1936, when our company was founded. For nearly nine decades, we’ve provided licensed, safe, professional tree removal and tree care as an alternative to inexperienced operators, a problem in the Kingston area going all the way back to 1915, when local papers warned residents about “fake tree doctors.”

Whether you’re in Midtown, the Rondout, Uptown Kingston, or anywhere in between, Expert Tree Service has helped homeowners and businesses throughout the city with tree removal, trimming, emergency cleanup, and ongoing tree care. We know Kingston’s mix of historic neighborhoods, steep streets, and mature urban canopy, and we have the equipment and experience to work safely in all of it.

Call us today at 845-331-6782 to schedule a consultation!

Our Tree Services Offered in Kingston, NY

Tree Removal

Kingston’s dense residential neighborhoods mean tree removal often involves working in tight spaces between houses, over fences, and near utility lines. Our crew specializes in sectional removal, taking large trees apart piece by piece using rigging, so we can safely remove trees that other tree removal companies might hesitate to take on. From a single dead elm in your front yard to clearing a lot on the outskirts for new construction, we handle tree removal services throughout Kingston.

Tree Trimming & Pruning

Kingston’s street trees — Norway maples, honey locusts, sugar maples — need regular pruning to stay healthy and keep branches away from homes, sidewalks, and utility lines. We offer crown thinning, deadwood removal, and structural pruning that extends the life of your trees and reduces the risk of storm damage. Proper tree trimming is especially important in Kingston’s historic districts, where large mature trees are part of the neighborhood’s character.

Stump Grinding & Removal

After a tree comes down, the stump stays behind. Our stump grinding service removes stumps 6-8 inches below grade, leaving a level surface ready for grass, mulch, or replanting. Stump removal is especially common in Kingston’s established neighborhoods where old stumps sit in front yards and side lots for years before homeowners finally decide to reclaim the space.

Emergency Tree Service

When a storm drops a tree across your driveway, onto your house, or into the street, you need a response fast. Expert Tree Service provides 24/7 emergency tree removal for Kingston and surrounding areas in Ulster County. We’ll remove the hazard, assess for additional damage, and clean up debris. Our team also handles insurance documentation to help make the process easier for you.

Feeding & Cabling

Not every tree needs to come down. For trees that are structurally sound but showing signs of stress — thinning canopy, dead branches, or leaning — we offer feeding programs and cabling systems that extend the tree’s life and reduce risk. This is especially common with Kingston’s older silver maples and eastern hemlocks, which can live for decades longer with the right care.

Land Clearing

Preparing a lot for new construction, cleaning up an overgrown property, or clearing brush after a storm? Our land clearing service handles projects of all sizes for homeowners and contractors in the Kingston area.

Tree Threats Facing Kingston

Several threats affect Kingston’s tree canopy that homeowners should be aware of:

• Emerald Ash Borer (EAB): Ulster County is an epicenter for this invasive beetle, which has devastated ash trees across New York. Dead and dying ash trees need prompt removal before they become falling hazards.
• Spotted Lanternfly (SLF): Both Ulster and Dutchess counties are in the NY DEC Spotted Lanternfly Protective Zone. SLF stresses a wide range of tree species and is now kill-on-sight in the region.
• Beech Leaf Disease: Advancing through the Hudson Valley, affecting American beech trees with no known treatment.
• Storm Damage: Increasingly heavy rainfall saturates soil and destabilizes root systems, followed by high winds that topple weakened trees. Kingston homeowners see this pattern play out every storm season.

If you notice dead branches, unusual leaf loss, bark damage, or pest activity on your trees, call us for an assessment. Catching problems early often means treatment or targeted pruning instead of full removal.

What Does Tree Removal Cost in Kingston?

Tree removal prices in Kingston depend on the size of the tree, how close it is to structures or power lines, accessibility for equipment (Kingston’s narrow streets and steep hills can be a factor), and the complexity of the job. A straightforward removal in an open backyard costs significantly less than a large tree overhanging a house on a tight Uptown lot.

We provide free consultations with written estimates, no pressure, no obligation. One of our team will visit your property, assess the situation, and give you an honest quote. We’ve been doing this in Kingston since 1936, and our reputation depends on fair, transparent pricing.

Kingston’s Tree Removal Laws: What You Need to Know in 2025

City-Owned Street Trees

Any tree between the sidewalk and the street is almost certainly city-owned. In February 2024, Kingston increased the fine for unauthorized removal of a city tree from $250 to $1,250, a fivefold increase that signals how seriously the city takes its urban canopy. To check if a tree is city-owned, contact the City’s Planning Department at (845) 334-3955, or call Expert Tree Service, we can verify ownership for you.

New Draft Tree Preservation Ordinance (2025)

Kingston is developing a comprehensive Tree Preservation Ordinance that would extend permit requirements to private property for the first time. A draft dated March 31, 2025 proposes requiring permits for the removal of any tree 6 inches DBH (diameter at breast height) or larger — even on your own property.

A 6-inch DBH threshold is relatively small — that’s roughly a tree with a trunk about 19 inches in circumference, which includes many backyard maples, oaks, and ornamental trees. If this ordinance passes, Kingston homeowners will need a permit before removing most trees on their property.

Expert Tree Service stays current on Kingston’s tree regulations. Whether you need help verifying tree ownership, understanding permit requirements, or navigating the approval process, we handle it so you don’t have to.

Why Kingston Homeowners Choose Expert Tree Service

• Nearly nine decades in business. Founded in 1936, we’re one of the longest-operating tree services in the Hudson Valley.
• Kingston experience. We’ve worked in every neighborhood and understand the challenges of urban tree work, tight lots, steep streets, historic district considerations.
• Licensed and fully insured. Unlicensed operators have been a problem in the area since 1915. Hiring Expert Tree means proper credentials and insurance protecting your property.
• Complete cleanup on every job. We don’t leave brush piles in your yard or wood chips in the street. When we leave, your property looks better than when we arrived.

Serving Kingston and Surrounding Areas

Expert Tree Service provides tree removal, trimming, and 24/7 emergency service throughout Ulster County and the surrounding Hudson Valley. In addition to Kingston, we serve homeowners and businesses in:

Ellenville
New Paltz
Red Hook
Rhinebeck
Rosendale
Saugerties

Get a Tree Removal Estimate in Kingston

Ready to take care of that problem tree? Contact Expert Tree Service today for a consultation and accurate estimate. We’ve been serving Kingston and all of Ulster County since 1936 with professional tree removal, trimming, and land clearing. Call us at 845-331-6782 or fill out the form below, and we’ll get back to you within one business day.