Trimming jobs we get quotes for
Deadwooding
Removing dead limbs from oaks and maples before they drop on the driveway. The most common job on mature Rockland County trees.
Crown raising
Lifting low limbs off the roof, the driveway, the sidewalk, or the neighbor's gutters. Villages require clearance over sidewalks and streets.
Crown thinning & reduction
Letting wind through a dense canopy and reducing the length of over-extended limbs so they survive the next nor'easter.
Cabling & bracing
Steel or synthetic supports for split-prone trees (multi-stem maples, old beeches) so you can keep them safely.
Hedges, arborvitae & ornamentals
Privacy screens, Japanese maples, crabapples, dogwoods. Smaller equipment, smaller price.
Storm-proofing before fall
A walk-through of your big trees in late summer, with the weak limbs taken out before storm season.
Tree trimming cost in NY (2026)
| Job | Typical NY price |
|---|---|
| Ornamental or small tree, under 30 ft | $150 – $400 |
| Mature shade tree, 30 – 60 ft | $300 – $900 |
| Large tree over a house, 60 ft+ | $900 – $2,000+ |
| Deadwooding only, mature oak or maple | $300 – $700 |
| Cabling or bracing, per system | $300 – $800 |
| Hedge or arborvitae row, per linear ft | $5 – $15 |
Cost ranges are published 2026 figures (Angi's 2026 New York tree trimming cost page, average about $520 with most jobs $300 to $2,000; LawnStarter and HomeGuide 2026 national trimming guides), not quotes from this site. Your price depends on the tree, access and your town.
Trimming vs. removal
A healthy tree with one problem limb needs pruning, not removal. Removal is the right call when more than about a third of the crown is dead, when the trunk is cracked or hollow, when fungus is growing at the base, or when the tree is a dead ash. A good estimator will tell you which you have; if the first company that visits says every tree needs to come down, get a second quote.
Pruning is also the cheaper way to deal with your town's rules: in Clarkstown, Nyack and Suffern, normal crown pruning needs no permit, while removing a tree over the diameter threshold does, and in Clarkstown and Nyack may require replacement trees. Nyack's code does count pruning that harms the tree, or topping, as injuring a significant tree. See permits by town.
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.
Pruning questions
How much does tree trimming cost in New York?
Published 2026 figures for New York put a typical trimming job at roughly $300 to $900 for a mature tree (Angi's New York average is about $520), with small ornamentals from about $150 and very large trees over a house, trimmed from a bucket truck or by climbing, running $1,000 or more. Pricing is usually per tree and by the hour for a crew.
When should trees be pruned in New York?
Late winter (February to early April) is best for most shade trees: the structure is visible, cuts heal fast in spring, and oak wilt risk is lowest. The DEC asks that oaks not be pruned from March through October because of oak wilt, which has been found in the lower Hudson Valley. Dead wood can be removed any time. Spring-flowering trees (dogwood, cherry, magnolia) are pruned right after they bloom.
Can I trim my neighbor's branches that hang over my yard?
In New York you may generally trim branches back to the property line at your own expense, as long as you do not kill or seriously damage the tree. You cannot go onto their property or cut the trunk. For big limbs it is worth a conversation and a shared quote.
Is topping a tree a good idea?
No. Topping (cutting the main limbs back to stubs) produces weak, fast-growing shoots that break in storms and shortens the tree's life; Spring Valley and West Haverstraw ban it outright on street trees. Reputable tree companies will recommend crown reduction or thinning instead. A company that offers to top your maple is a red flag.