Tree permit rules in the Town of North Hempstead
Permit required for trees 6"+ in diameter at 4.5 ft above ground, including on private residential property in unincorporated areas. Many North Hempstead villages run their own tree laws.
- Threshold: 6 inches diameter at breast height (4.5 ft).
- Fees: $25 for 1–2 trees, $50 for 3–5 trees, then about $10 per additional tree.
- Processing typically takes 10–20 days. Plan ahead for non-emergency work.
- Fines: $500–$5,000 for a first offense, $5,000–$10,000 for repeat offenses.
Official source: Town of North Hempstead — Preservation of Trees . Compare all towns in our Long Island permit guide.
Villages with their own tree laws: Great Neck (and the Great Neck villages), Roslyn, Flower Hill, Sands Point, Port Washington North, Plandome, Munsey Park, Westbury, Mineola, Williston Park. If one of these is on your tax bill, its rules apply.
Trees, pests and problems we see in North Hempstead
This is old North Shore canopy: red and white oaks, sugar and Norway maples, tulip poplars and American beech on estate-era lots, many 80–100+ years old. Beech leaf disease has been spreading through Nassau since about 2019 (banded, leathery leaves, thinning crowns), and red oaks are susceptible to oak wilt, a fast-killing fungus that has been found in New York and spreads between neighboring oaks through grafted roots.
Soil, weather and storm exposure
Hilly glacial moraine with steep driveways, retaining walls and waterfront bluffs in Port Washington, Sands Point and Manhasset Bay. Slopes and tight setbacks mean more rigging and crane work, and bluff-top trees can be protected by coastal and village rules.
Homes, lots and access
A mix of pre-war Tudors and colonials, large estate parcels, and dense post-war capes in New Hyde Park, Herricks and Carle Place. Big trees plus valuable hardscape (slate patios, pools, specimen gardens) make careful sectional rigging and ground protection standard.
What drives the price in North Hempstead
Tall hardwoods, slopes and high-value landscaping push many jobs into the $1,500–$3,500+ bracket. Add the permit fee and 10–20 days of lead time. Oak stumps are dense, so expect the hardwood premium on grinding.
Long Island baseline: small trees $300–$800, medium $700–$2,000, large $1,500–$3,500+, and stump grinding $150–$500 per stump. See the tree removal cost guide and stump grinding costs.
Services available in North Hempstead
- Tree Removal: Dead, leaning, storm-damaged or just-in-the-way trees taken down safely, including crane work over houses and pools.
- Stump Grinding: Stumps ground 6–8 inches below grade so you can reseed, plant or pave. Usually $150–$500 a stump.
- Stump & Root Removal: Full extraction of the stump and main roots when you need to replant, build a patio or pour footings in the same spot.
- Emergency & Storm Tree Removal: A tree on the house, car, fence or driveway after a nor'easter or tropical storm, with help documenting it for insurance.
- Tree Trimming & Pruning: Limbs over the roof, deadwood, storm-prep thinning and clearance, done to keep the tree healthy rather than topping it.
- Land & Lot Clearing: Wooded building lots, pool and driveway areas, and overgrown property cleared, with stumps ground or pulled and the permit rules sorted first.
Communities covered
- Manhasset
- Port Washington
- Great Neck
- Roslyn
- New Hyde Park
- Westbury
- Mineola
- Carle Place
- Albertson
- Searingtown
- Herricks
- Sands Point
- Williston Park
North Hempstead tree removal FAQ
Do I need a permit for a dead tree in Manhasset?
The 6-inch rule applies based on size, so assume yes unless the town or your village tells you otherwise. Photos and an arborist's note that the tree is dead or hazardous help the application and emergency handling.
I live in Great Neck. Does the town permit apply?
If you're inside one of the incorporated Great Neck villages, the village's tree law applies instead of (or in addition to) the town's. Check which municipality is on your tax bill.
Is my beech tree dying from beech leaf disease?
Look for dark bands between leaf veins, crinkled or leathery leaves, and a thinning canopy. Early cases can be treated, but badly declined beeches become brittle and are removal candidates, especially near houses.
