Tree Service New Paltz, NY | Removal, Trimming & 24/7 Emergency

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, stump grinding after a backyard removal, 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!

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. Whether it’s a single backyard ash or a row of declining Norway maples along your driveway, our crew handles professional tree removal jobs of every scale.

Tree Trimming & Pruning

Crown reduction, deadwood removal, and clearance trimming to keep trees healthy and away from roofs, gutters, and power lines. Regular tree pruning is part of responsible tree care, it extends the life of mature trees and keeps your property safe. 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, so emergency tree removal is one of our most frequent calls in the New Paltz area. When trees come down, we’re the crew New Paltz residents call.

Feeding & Cabling

Deep-root fertilization and structural cabling for mature trees that aren’t ready to come down. Cabling large trees helps prevent branch failure during storms and extends the useful life of older maples, elms, and white pines throughout the New Paltz area.

Lot Clearing & Land Clearing

Complete lot clearing for new construction, driveways, or property improvements. Whether you’re building on a wooded Town of New Paltz parcel or clearing brush along a Village property line, we remove trees, stumps, brush, and debris so your site is ready. Land clearing in the New Paltz area often requires coordination with town building permits — we can advise on what’s needed.

Stump Grinding & Stump Removal

After a tree comes down, the stump doesn’t have to stay. Our stump grinding equipment reduces stumps to 6–12 inches below grade, so you can replant, resod, or build over the area. For homeowners who want the root ball out entirely, common before foundation work or new construction, we do full stump removal as well. Most residential stump grinding jobs in New Paltz are done in under an hour.

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.

Tree Threats Facing New Paltz

New Paltz’s trees face several active threats that homeowners should know about. Some are already causing damage; others are approaching and will arrive within the next few years.

Emerald Ash Borer

The emerald ash borer has been confirmed in Ulster County and is actively killing ash trees throughout the Hudson Valley. EAB larvae feed under the bark, cutting off the tree’s nutrient flow. Infested ash trees typically die within 3–5 years, and dead ash become brittle and dangerous — they drop large limbs without warning. If you have ash trees on your property, have them inspected. Removing a standing dead ash is significantly more hazardous (and expensive) than taking one down while it’s still structurally sound.

Spotted Lanternfly

Ulster and Dutchess counties are both within New York’s Spotted Lanternfly Protective Zone. While SLF doesn’t directly kill most trees, heavy infestations weaken maples and other hardwoods, encourage sooty mold growth, and stress trees that are already dealing with other issues. New Paltz’s heavy maple population makes it particularly vulnerable.

Beech Leaf Disease

Beech leaf disease, caused by a foliar nematode, is advancing through the Hudson Valley and has been confirmed in the mid-Hudson region. American beech trees show distinctive dark banding on leaves before progressive decline. There is currently no treatment. Homeowners with beech trees should monitor for symptoms and plan for potential removal as the disease progresses.

Norway Maple Decline

Norway maples dominate New Paltz’s streetscape — they’re the #1 species in the village inventory. But many of New Paltz’s Norway maples are reaching the end of their 60–80 year urban lifespan. Aging Norways develop girdling roots that crack sidewalks and foundations, extensive deadwood in the canopy, and a tendency toward sudden branch failures. They’re also an invasive species that crowds out native trees. If you have a Norway maple showing signs of decline, it’s often better to remove it proactively and replant with a native species than to wait for a storm to make the decision for you.

New Paltz, NY’s Tree Removal Laws

New Paltz has some of the strongest tree protection rules in the Hudson Valley, with separate regulations in the Village and Town. Before removing trees on your property, you need to know which jurisdiction you’re in and what’s required.

In the Village of New Paltz, any tree within 20 feet of a public street is classified as a “shade tree” and cannot be removed without approval from the Shade Tree Commission. This applies to trees on private property if they’re within that 20-foot zone. Contact the Commission at shadetree@villageofnewpaltz.org before planning any tree work near a Village street.

The Town of New Paltz’s tree conservation law reaches further than the Village’s. If your tree is taller than seven feet and located within 55 feet of the center of a nearby road, you must submit a written application to the Town Building Inspector at P.O. Box 550, New Paltz, NY 12561. Several exemptions exist: trees severely damaged by storms or natural causes, and trees posing imminent public danger can be removed without a permit — but should still be documented.

“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.”

Serving New Paltz 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 New Paltz, we serve homeowners and businesses in:

Ellenville
Poughkeepsie
Rhinebeck
Rosendale
Saugerties

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.