Expert Tree Service has been handling tree work in New Paltz and across Ulster County since 1936. We’re a fourth-generation family business based in Saugerties, about 20 minutes north on Route 32, and we work in New Paltz regularly, from the tree-lined streets of the Village to rural properties out toward the Shawangunk Ridge.
Whether you need a Norway maple taken down near Huguenot Street or storm cleanup after a nor’easter rips through the Wallkill Valley, we have the crew and equipment to handle it. We’re licensed, fully insured, and available 24/7 for emergencies.
Call us today at 845-331-6782 to schedule a consultation!
New Paltz, NY’s Most Common Trees
According to the village’s 2018 tree survey:
- Norway Maple
- Sugar Maple
- Eastern Red Cedar
- American Elm
- Eastern White Pine
- Silver Maple
Our Tree Services in New Paltz
We handle everything from single-tree removals in tight Village lots to large-scale clearing on rural Town properties. New Paltz has strict tree regulations in both the Village and Town, and we’re familiar with the permitting process for both jurisdictions.
- Tree Removal: Safe takedown of dead, dying, storm-damaged, or hazardous trees of any size. We section and rig limbs down piece by piece to protect your home, landscaping, and utility lines.
- Tree Trimming & Pruning: Crown reduction, deadwood removal, and clearance trimming to keep trees healthy and away from roofs, gutters, and power lines. Important for staying compliant with New Paltz’s shade tree rules.
- Crane-Assisted Removal: For large trees in tight backyards or near structures where traditional climbing isn’t safe. We lift sections out over homes instead of dropping them through your yard.
- Emergency Storm Cleanup: 24/7 response for trees on homes, blocking driveways, or tangled in power lines. The Wallkill Valley catches heavy wind and ice storms, and we’re the crew New Paltz residents call when trees come down.
- Feeding & Cabling: Deep-root fertilization and structural cabling for mature trees that aren’t ready to come down. Extends the life of older maples, elms, and white pines throughout the area.
- Lot Clearing: Complete clearing for new construction, driveways, or property improvements. We remove trees, brush, and debris so your site is ready to build.
Why New Paltz Homeowners Call Us
David Hughes Sr. founded Expert Tree Service in 1936, and the business has passed through four generations of the Hughes family. Our founder’s rule still stands: give the best price first, not last. We don’t quote high and “discount” down; we give you an honest number upfront. Every job gets a written estimate before we start, and we don’t collect payment until the work is done and you’re satisfied.
We carry full liability insurance and workers’ compensation. After 90 years in business, our reputation is everything, and we treat every job like it’s in our own backyard.
New Paltz, NY’s Tree Removal Laws
New Paltz’s tree canopy is a mix of hardwoods and conifers typical of the Wallkill Valley. Norway maples and sugar maples dominate the Village streetscape, with eastern red cedars, American elms, and white pines filling in the surrounding properties. Norway maples in particular are reaching the end of their lifespan in many neighborhoods, and they develop root heave, branch failures, and can crack sidewalks and foundations.
In the Village of New Paltz, your tree is a “shade tree” if it is “on public or private property along any public street or thoroughfare in the space or area measured 20 feet from the edge of the curb or road pavement.”
That means that, “these shade trees cannot be removed without approval of the Shade Tree Commission.” You can contact them at shadetree@villageofnewpaltz.org.
In the Town of New Paltz, tree conservation laws reach even further than the Village’s. If your tree is taller than seven feet, and are within 55 feet of the center of a nearby road, then you must “submit a complete application in writing” to the New Paltz Town Building Inspector at P.O. Box 550 New Paltz, NY 12561.
“Several exemptions exist which allow for removal of trees without a permit, including trees that have been severely damaged from storms or other natural causes and trees that could cause public endangerment.”
According to the Village’s 2018 tree survey, the most common species include Norway maple, sugar maple, eastern red cedar, American elm, eastern white pine, and silver maple. These trees reflect the mix of native hardwoods and conifers typical of the Wallkill Valley region.
Yes—depending on your location. In the Village of New Paltz, any tree within 20 feet of a public street is considered a “shade tree” and cannot be removed without approval from the Shade Tree Commission. In the Town of New Paltz, a permit is required if the tree is taller than 7 feet and located within 55 feet of a road centerline.
Yes. Trees that are severely storm-damaged or pose an imminent risk to public safety may be removed without a permit. However, it’s always wise to confirm with the Village or Town before taking action.
While we are not affiliated with the Commission, we understand their guidelines and can assist you in determining whether your tree qualifies for removal and how to complete the necessary paperwork.
Absolutely. From heritage maples and red cedars to native white pines and elms, we provide feeding, cabling, trimming, and disease control services to keep your trees healthy and thriving.
Give us a call at 845-331-6782 or fill out the contact form on our website. We’ll visit your property, evaluate the trees in question, and provide a no-obligation estimate for removal or care.
Get a Tree Service Estimate in New Paltz
Call 845-331-6782 or fill out the form below. We’ll come out, look at your trees, and give you a straight answer with no pressure, no upsells. Just honest pricing from a family business that’s been doing this since 1936.