Tree removal in Pomona: what is different here
The Village of Pomona sits on the hills in north-central Rockland, straddling the Ramapo and Haverstraw town lines, with Route 45, Route 202 and Ladentown Road running through it and the Palisades Parkway and Harriman State Park to the west. Most of the village is one- and two-acre zoning: colonials and contemporaries from the 1960s through the 2000s on heavily wooded, often sloping lots, many with stone walls and rock outcrops.
Those big wooded lots are why Pomona has one of Rockland's stricter tree laws. Nearly any tree you would think of as a tree, down to about 6 inches across, needs a permit to remove, and the village caps how many healthy trees you can take in a year. If you are planning a pool, an addition or just more sun, build the permit and the three-per-year limit into the plan.
Do you need a permit to remove a tree in Pomona?
Private yard trees: under the Village of Pomona's Chapter 121 ("Trees"), no tree may be removed on private property without a tree removal permit from the Building Inspector. A "tree" is any woody plant with a trunk at least 20 inches in circumference at 4.5 feet above the ground (about 6.4 inches in diameter). The application needs four copies of the form and of a survey or plot plan showing the trees, the contractor's county license and insurance certificate, and the fee from the village fee schedule. The Building Inspector visits and marks approved trees.
Limits and exceptions: no more than three trees may be approved in any twelve-month period unless a licensed arborist finds they are dead or dangerous. Permits are granted for trees that endanger people or property, interfere with permitted construction, are diseased, or crowd other trees; protected trees and trees in conservation or buffer areas can only go if dead or dangerous. A tree that is dead or damaged and in imminent danger of causing harm can be removed first, as long as an application with a licensed arborist's verification is filed within 48 hours. Front-yard wood must be cleared within 60 days. Violations carry a civil penalty of up to $300 each.
Where to ask: Village of Pomona Building Department, Village Hall, 100 Ladentown Road, Pomona NY 10970, (845) 354-0545.
Source: Village of Pomona Code Chapter 121 "Trees" (§ 121-2 definitions, § 121-4 permit, § 121-5 application and three-per-year limit, § 121-8 dead or damaged trees, § 121-13 penalties); pomonavillage.gov Village Hall page; read October 2026. Confirm current rules before work starts; ordinances change.
Common tree problems in Pomona
- Big hardwoods on slopes. Oaks, hickories and tulip poplars on rocky hillside lots, often leaning toward driveways that were cut into the slope.
- Dead ash and hemlock. Emerald ash borer and hemlock woolly adelgid have both killed trees in Pomona's woods; the dead/dangerous exception with an arborist's letter covers these.
- Storm damage on exposed hilltops. Higher, windier ground than the valley towns, so more broken tops and limbs after nor'easters.
- Conservation easements. Many subdivision lots carry conservation or buffer areas where trees can only be removed if dead or dangerous. Check your deed and plat before clearing.
What it costs in Pomona (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.
Big trees on big, sloping lots put many Pomona jobs in the middle to upper part of these ranges. Have the contractor include the permit application in the scope; reputable crews in villages with permit rules do this routinely.
Services in Pomona
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 Pomona
We match homeowners across the Village of Pomona: Route 45, Route 202, Ladentown Road, Camp Hill Road and the neighborhoods toward Mount Ivy, New Hempstead, Wesley Hills and the Palisades Parkway. Nearby we also cover New Hempstead, Wesley Hills, Haverstraw and New City.
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.
Pomona questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Pomona, NY?
Yes, in the Village of Pomona a permit from the Building Inspector is needed to remove any tree 20 inches or more in circumference at 4.5 feet (about 6.4 inches across), and no more than three can be approved in twelve months unless a licensed arborist finds them dead or dangerous.
What if a tree is about to fall on my house?
Pomona lets you remove a dead or damaged tree in imminent danger of causing harm without waiting for a permit, provided you file the application with a licensed arborist's verification within 48 hours.
How much does tree removal cost in Pomona?
Published 2026 New York ranges: about $600 to $1,200 for a medium tree, $1,200 to $2,200 for a large tree and $2,000 to $3,500 or more for crane removals, plus $100 to $400 per stump. Add the village permit fee.
Is all of Pomona covered by the village law?
Only property inside the incorporated Village of Pomona. Some homes with a Pomona mailing address are outside the village, in unincorporated Ramapo or the Town of Haverstraw, where different rules apply. Your tax bill shows which.