Saugerties is home. Expert Tree Service has operated from 2530 Route 9W in Saugerties since David Hughes Sr. founded the business in 1936. Four generations later, we’re still here; and we’ve worked on more trees in Saugerties than any other crew in the Hudson Valley.
From the old-growth maples along Main Street and Partition Street to the wooded lots climbing up toward the Catskill foothills, we know Saugerties tree by tree. Whether you need a dead oak taken down behind your house on Washington Avenue, stump grinding after a removal, or emergency storm cleanup when an ice storm drops branches across Route 212, we handle it. We’re licensed, fully insured, and available 24/7 for emergencies.
Call us today at 845-331-6782 to schedule a consultation!
Saugerties, NY’s Most Common Trees
Unfortunately, while Saugerties had a tree study commissioned in 2013, the results of it are not available online. The best we can do is user-reported data from Picture This AI.
- Eastern White Pine
- Red Maple
- Black Cherry
- Pitch Pine
- Eastern Hemlock
- White Ash
- American Beech
- Staghorn Sumac
- Northern Red Oak
- Tree of Heaven
Our Tree Services in Saugerties
We handle every type of tree work in Saugerties, from single-tree removals in the Village to large-scale lot clearing on rural properties in the Town. As local tree pros who live and work here, we know the terrain, the soil conditions, and the species you’re dealing with.
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. Our professional tree services cover everything from a single backyard maple to a row of declining ashes along your driveway. In Saugerties, we regularly handle removals in tight Village lots where houses are close together and there’s no room for error.
Tree Trimming & Pruning
Crown reduction, deadwood removal, and clearance trimming to keep your trees healthy and away from roofs, gutters, and power lines. Proper tree care through regular trimming extends the life of mature trees, prevents storm damage, and keeps your property safe and looking good. For trees near roads and sidewalks in the Village, trimming also keeps you in compliance with Saugerties’ shade tree requirements.
Crane-Assisted Removal
For large trees in tight backyards or near structures where traditional climbing isn’t safe. We lift sections out over homes and garages instead of dropping them through your yard. Common in the older Village neighborhoods where houses, garages, and fences are packed close together.
Emergency Storm Cleanup
24/7 emergency tree removal for trees on homes, blocking driveways, or tangled in power lines. Saugerties sits at the base of the Catskills where the Esopus Creek meets the Hudson, and the area catches heavy wind, ice storms, and nor’easters. When trees come down in Saugerties, we’re the first crew on the scene — because we’re already here.
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 Saugerties are done in under an hour.
Feeding & Cabling
Deep-root fertilization and structural cabling for mature trees that aren’t ready to come down. Cabling helps prevent branch failure during storms and extends the useful life of older maples, oaks, and other large trees throughout Saugerties.
Lot Clearing & Land Clearing
Complete lot clearing for new construction, driveways, or property improvements. We remove trees, stumps, brush, and debris so your site is ready to build. For larger parcels in the Town of Saugerties, we bring in bucket trucks and chippers to clear wooded lots efficiently. We handle everything from small residential clearing to multi-acre land clearing for commercial projects.
Our Equipment
Expert Tree Service runs a full fleet of professional tree removal equipment out of our Saugerties yard. Our bucket trucks reach canopy heights safely without climbing, and our commercial chippers process brush and limbs on-site so your property is left clean. We also run cranes for large removals, stump grinders from small residential to large-diameter units, and a fleet of dump trucks for debris hauling. Having the right equipment on every job means faster, safer tree work and a cleaner result for homeowners.
Tree Threats Facing Saugerties
Saugerties’ 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 Saugerties 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. Saugerties’ large maple and oak population makes properties here particularly vulnerable to SLF damage.
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.
Saugerties’ Tree Removal Rules
The Village of Saugerties has a Shade Tree Commission that oversees trees on public property and along Village streets. The Commission maintains an inventory of public shade trees and regulates removal and planting within the Village. Before removing or significantly trimming any tree on or near a Village street, check with the Village Clerk’s office to determine whether the tree falls under the Commission’s jurisdiction.
In the Town of Saugerties, tree removal on private property is generally less restricted than in the Village, but certain situations still require attention — particularly for properties in wetland buffer zones, near designated streams, or within site plan review areas. If you’re planning tree work as part of a construction or development project, the Town Planning Board may need to sign off.
The safest approach: call Expert Tree Service at 845-331-6782 before removing any tree. We’ve worked in Saugerties for 90 years and know which situations require permits and which don’t. We’ll tell you straight.
Why Saugerties Homeowners Choose Expert Tree Service
David Hughes Sr. founded Expert Tree Service in 1936 right here in Saugerties, and the business has passed through four generations of the Hughes family. Our yard is on Route 9W. Our crew lives here. When you call us for tree work in Saugerties, you’re not waiting for a company to drive in from another county — you’re calling your neighbors.
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 in Saugerties is everything — and we treat every job like it’s in our own backyard. Because in Saugerties, it usually is.
Frequently Asked Questions
If the tree is between the sidewalk and street (a public tree), yes, you need written permission from the village under the Shade Tree Ordinance. For trees entirely on private property, no permit is currently required, though the village board can order removal of private trees that threaten public safety. We can help you figure out which category your tree falls into.
Because we’re based in Saugerties, we can often respond same-day for emergencies involving trees on structures, blocking roads, or threatening power lines. For urgent situations, call us directly at 845-331-6782.
Tree removal can be done year-round, but late fall through early spring is often ideal, but frozen ground means less lawn damage, and bare canopies are easier to work in. That said, if a tree is hazardous, don’t wait. Call us regardless of the season.
Yes. We serve the entire Town of Saugerties including the village, Malden-on-Hudson, Glasco, West Saugerties, Quarryville, and all surrounding areas. We also serve neighboring communities throughout Ulster County.
We remove all debris as part of every job. If you’d like us to leave firewood-length logs, we’re happy to do that. Per Saugerties’ ordinance, wood from removed trees can be kept as firewood as long as it’s gathered and stored appropriately.
Serving Saugerties 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 Saugerties, we serve homeowners and businesses in:
Athens
Catskill
Ellenville
Kingston
Rhinebeck
Get a Free Tree Removal Estimate in Saugerties
Ready to take care of that problem tree? Contact your neighbors at Expert Tree Service for a free consultation and written estimate. We’ve been Saugerties’ tree company since 1936. Call us at 845-331-6782 or fill out the form below, we’ll get back to you within one business day.
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