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Storm and tree damage in New York

Arborists and roofers for storm damage.

100 pros in New York

Tree work in New York City depends first on who owns the tree. NYC311 says the Parks Department may issue a permit after review for work on City trees, including removing City trees or stumps, and that all of it is done at the owner's expense by Parks-approved private contractors. Parks does not issue permits for trees on private property, and owners of landmark-preservation properties are told to check with that agency before any tree work. The scale of storm damage here is real: after Superstorm Sandy and the nor'easter that followed in 2012, the city counted 9,662 downed trees on its streets and in its parks. Before you hire, find out whether the tree is a City tree or a private one, because that decides whether a permit and an approved contractor are involved. Ask any company to say in writing which permits it will handle, who removes the stump, and whether the job touches a landmark property.

Source: The Boston Globe (source, opens in a new tab)

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What to know in New York

  • The state Department of Public Service said Tropical Storm Isaias (August 2020) reached approximately 920,000 customers in New York State, with approximately 1.3 million New York customers experiencing power outages. It reported that Con Edison had 328,555 customer outages by the evening of Thursday, August 6, 2020.

    New York State Department of Public Service (source, opens in a new tab)

Before you hire

  1. For a tree near power lines, call your utility first: only a utility-certified arborist should work within 3 m of the wires.

    Source: bchydro.com (source, opens in a new tab)

  2. Ask which permits the job needs and who will get them; your municipal building department can tell you before work starts.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  3. Ask about liability insurance and workers’ compensation cover before anyone works on your roof or property.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

Questions about hiring in New York

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in New York City?

It depends on the tree. NYC311 says the Parks Department may issue a permit after review for work on City trees, and that work is done by Parks-approved private contractors at the owner's expense. Parks does not issue permits for trees on private property, so confirm ownership first. NYC311 (source, opens in a new tab)

What if my property is a landmark?

NYC311 tells owners of landmark-preservation properties to check with that agency before doing any tree work. Do this before you accept a quote, and ask the tree company whether it has worked within those requirements before. NYC311 (source, opens in a new tab)

What should a tree work quote include?

A quote should state the company's full name and contact details, proof of insurance, the exact work on each tree, whether stumps and debris are removed, who handles any permit, the start date and the total. Ask for it in writing and compare like with like.

Why does storm damage matter when hiring in New York City?

Storms can bring down a great many trees at once. After Superstorm Sandy and the nor'easter in 2012, the city counted 9,662 downed trees on its streets and in its parks. Expect busy crews, so get written scopes and avoid paying in full upfront. The Boston Globe (source, opens in a new tab)

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