Tree removal in Bardonia: what is different here
Bardonia is a quiet Clarkstown hamlet between Nanuet, New City and West Nyack, along Bardonia Road, Route 304 and Germonds Road. Most of it is 1960s to 1980s colonials, splits and high ranches on quarter- to half-acre lots, plus a few older farmhouses, with the mature oaks, maples and tulip poplars that were left when the subdivisions went in.
Those trees are now 50 to 60 years older than the houses and often as tall as anything in the neighborhood. Typical Bardonia calls are large oaks over roofs, dead ash at the back of the lot, overgrown evergreen screens and storm damage after nor'easters, and because the hamlet is in Clarkstown, the three-year permit count matters if you are taking down more than one or two big trees.
Do you need a permit to remove a tree in Bardonia?
Private yard trees: Bardonia is an unincorporated hamlet of the Town of Clarkstown, so the Town's Tree Preservation law (Chapter 270, adopted 2013, most recently amended by Local Law 10 of 2026) applies to every owner, including owners of existing homes. You need a tree removal permit from the Department of Engineering and Facilities Management (DEFM) before removing more than one tree of 8 inches or more in diameter (DBH) per 5,000 sq ft of lot in any three calendar years, or any regulated tree in a state or federal wetland, within 25 feet of the top of a drainageway bank, on steep slopes, in the Town Historic District, or tied to new construction. On a typical quarter-acre (about 10,000 sq ft) lot that works out to roughly two big trees per three years without a permit; the next one needs it.
Exempt: dead trees (verified by DEFM or a certified arborist), trees posing an imminent danger to a structure, vehicle or pedestrians (you must give the Town documentary evidence within seven days of removal), DEC-listed invasive species, and trees on an approved tree preservation plan. Permitted trees are marked with red tape, not paint, and the permit is posted where it can be seen from the street. Taking a regulated tree without a permit means a fine of $500 to $1,500 per tree plus a replacement tree of at least 3-inch caliper (8 ft if evergreen). The application fee follows the Town's consolidated fee schedule.
Bardonia specifics: on a quarter-acre lot the yearly allowance is tight, so if you need several large trees down at once, apply to DEFM for the permit instead of spreading the work over years. Lots backing onto stream corridors or wetlands can hit the 25-foot drainageway trigger.
Where to ask: Town of Clarkstown DEFM, Town Hall, 10 Maple Avenue, New City NY 10956, (845) 639-2111.
Source: Town of Clarkstown Code Chapter 270 "Tree Preservation" (§ 270-6 permit and exceptions, § 270-14 replacement, § 270-16 penalties), read October 2026. Confirm current rules before work starts; ordinances change.
Common tree problems in Bardonia
- Big oaks over roofs. Red and pin oaks left from the woods, now 70 to 80 feet tall, dropping deadwood and limbs on houses.
- Overgrown evergreen screens. White pine and spruce rows planted with the subdivisions, now tall, thin and breaking in snow.
- Dead ash along back lot lines. Killed by emerald ash borer and increasingly brittle.
- Bradford pears and other ornamentals. Popular in the 1970s and 80s; they split apart as they age.
What it costs in Bardonia (2026)
| Job | Typical NY price |
|---|---|
| Small tree, under 30 ft | $300 – $600 |
| Medium tree, 30 – 60 ft | $600 – $1,200 |
| Large tree, 60 – 80 ft | $1,200 – $2,200 |
| Crane removal over a house | $2,000 – $3,500+ |
| Tree trimming, mature tree | $300 – $900 |
| Stump grinding | $100 – $400 per stump |
Cost ranges are published 2026 New York industry figures (Environmental Forest Products' 2026 Hudson Valley tree removal cost guide, eforestproducts.com; Angi's 2026 New York tree trimming cost page; HomeGuide and LawnStarter 2026 national guides), not quotes from this site. Your price depends on the tree, access and your town. Full breakdown: Rockland tree removal cost guide.
Most Bardonia jobs land in the middle of these ranges. Remember that Clarkstown's permit is required for more than one 8-inch tree per 5,000 sq ft every three years; a reputable contractor will handle the application if you ask.
Services in Bardonia
Tree removal
Dead, hazardous, storm-damaged or unwanted trees, including crane removals.
Emergency tree service
Trees on houses, cars and driveways after a storm.
Hazardous tree assessment
Find out whether a leaning, cracked or dying tree is actually dangerous.
Tree trimming
Deadwooding, raising limbs off the roof, thinning and cabling.
Stump grinding
Grind old stumps below grade so the lawn can come back.
Land and lot clearing
Brush, overgrowth and small-tree clearing for yards, additions and building lots.
Neighborhoods we cover in and around Bardonia
We match homeowners across Bardonia: Bardonia Road, Route 304, Germonds Road and the neighborhoods bordering Nanuet, New City and West Nyack. Nearby we also cover Nanuet, New City and West Nyack.
How it works
- Tell us about the job. Your town, what you need, and a photo if you have one. Takes about a minute.
- We match you with a local tree pro. An independent Rockland County tree care company that holds a Rockland County home improvement contractor license and carries liability insurance, and that actually serves your town.
- Get a free on-site quote. The company contacts you directly, looks at the tree and gives you a written price. No obligation, and you deal with them from there.
Bardonia questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Bardonia?
Bardonia follows Clarkstown's Chapter 270. No permit for one tree of 8 inches or more per 5,000 sq ft of lot every three calendar years; a DEFM permit for more than that, or for any regulated tree in a wetland, within 25 feet of a drainageway or on a steep slope. Dead and imminently dangerous trees are exempt with documentation.
How do I measure the 8-inch diameter?
Measure the trunk's circumference at 4.5 feet above the ground and divide by 3.14. A trunk about 25 inches around is about 8 inches across.
How much does tree removal cost in Bardonia?
Published 2026 New York ranges: about $300 to $600 for small trees, $600 to $1,200 for medium, $1,200 to $2,200 for large and $2,000 to $3,500 or more for crane removals over a house, plus $100 to $400 per stump.
What does Clarkstown charge for a tree permit?
The fee follows the Town's consolidated fee schedule, which the Town Board sets by resolution. Call DEFM at (845) 639-2111 for the current amount.