Tree removal in New Hempstead: what is different here
New Hempstead is a residential village in the Town of Ramapo between New City, Pomona, Wesley Hills and Hillcrest, with Village Hall on Old Schoolhouse Road and mostly New City mailing addresses. Its neighborhoods are 1960s to 2000s colonials, splits and newer houses on half-acre to two-acre lots, a lot of them wooded, with streams and wetlands crossing many back yards.
New Hempstead's tree work looks a lot like neighboring Wesley Hills and New City: tall oaks, maples and tulip poplars close to houses, dead ash along lot lines, and storm damage after nor'easters. The village has also been actively building out large homes and additions, which brings tree removals tied to construction, grading and drainage.
Do you need a permit to remove a tree in New Hempstead?
What the code we could read says: the Village of New Hempstead's code (as published on ecode360, with legislation through November 2022) has no stand-alone tree removal chapter. Trees are covered by Chapter 170, the Clearing, Filling and Excavation law, which requires a permit for removing trees 12 inches or more in diameter at breast height that stand more than 200 feet from an existing one-family house on a lot of one acre or more, along with filling, excavating and regrading. Building and subdivision applications must also show existing trees over 8 inches.
What we could not confirm: village board minutes from September 2021 show a public hearing on a separate tree removal local law (as discussed then, a permit would be needed once a homeowner removed three trees in a calendar year, dead trees included). We could not confirm whether it was adopted in that form or later. Before removing a tree in New Hempstead, call the Village Building Department and ask whether a tree removal permit applies to your lot.
Where to ask: Village of New Hempstead, Village Hall, 108 Old Schoolhouse Road, New City NY 10956, (845) 354-8100.
Source: Village of New Hempstead Code Chapter 170 "Grading and Excavation" (§ 170-3 permit required) and the code's table of contents (ecode360.com/NE1212, legislation through 11-22-2022); Village Board of Trustees minutes, September 13, 2021 (villageofnewhempstead.gov); read October 2026. Rule on a separate tree law not verified. Confirm current rules before work starts; ordinances change.
Common tree problems in New Hempstead
- Trees near new construction. Additions, new houses and regrading cut roots; oaks often decline for years afterward and become hazards.
- Dead ash along lot lines. Emerald ash borer has killed most unprotected ash in Ramapo's woods.
- Wet back yards. Streams and wetlands cross many lots; saturated soil lets big trees tip, and work near wetlands can need county or state review.
- Big trees over long driveways. On one- and two-acre lots, the trees that matter most are the ones over the driveway and the house.
What it costs in New Hempstead (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.
Typical New Hempstead jobs fall in the middle of these ranges. Back-of-lot trees, slopes and crane work over additions push prices up.
Services in New Hempstead
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 New Hempstead
We match homeowners across New Hempstead: Old Schoolhouse Road, the Route 45 and Route 306 sides of the village, and the neighborhoods bordering New City, Pomona, Wesley Hills and Hillcrest. Nearby we also cover New City, Pomona, Wesley Hills and Hillcrest.
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.
New Hempstead questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in New Hempstead?
The published village code requires a clearing permit for trees 12 inches or more that are more than 200 feet from the house on lots of an acre or more. The village also considered a separate tree removal law in 2021, and we could not confirm its status, so call Village Hall at (845) 354-8100 before cutting.
Is New Hempstead the same as New City?
No. Many New Hempstead homes have a New City mailing address, but the village has its own code and building department. Clarkstown's tree law applies in New City, not in New Hempstead.
How much does tree removal cost in New Hempstead?
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, plus $100 to $400 per stump.
Does my tree company need a license?
Yes. Rockland County requires a home improvement contractor license, with insurance, for any business paid to remove trees at a home.