Tree Removal Cost: Suffolk County, NY

Suffolk County is eastern Long Island, from Huntington and Babylon out to the Hamptons and the North Fork, and its trees range from big oaks in North Shore neighborhoods to pitch pine and scrub oak in the Pine Barrens. the February 2026 edition of HomeGuide's price guide puts the usual single-tree job between $400 and $1,200.

The Forest Service's FIA estimates (New York 2025 evaluation) count about 217,000 acres of forest land countywide: 56.0% oak/hickory, 22.7% in the pine group that FIA codes as loblolly/shortleaf (on Long Island, largely pitch pine stands) and 13.2% oak/pine.

Hurricanes dominate the storm record: FEMA's declarations data list 24 federal major disaster declarations from storms and floods in Suffolk, 8 of them hurricanes, from Sandy to the remnants of Ida in 2021, and an October 2024 storm and flood declaration.

Permits

Rules are set by each town. In Huntington, Chapter 186 requires a permit to remove a landmark, large or medium tree, more than three small trees, or woodland; the town fee is $25 per five trees, capped at $500 for a single-family home, and no fee applies to documented dead, dying or hazardous trees.

Brookhaven says its tree clearing permit applies to residential properties of 2 acres or more and to larger projects, and the town lists a $410 application fee plus review fees. Islip, Babylon, Smithtown, Southampton, East Hampton and the other towns have their own codes, and villages often add more.

In the Central Pine Barrens, clearing limits under the state Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Act and the Pine Barrens Commission's plan can apply to larger lots and development.

Step 1: find your town or village tree code. Step 2: measure trunk size against its thresholds. Step 3: file any permit before the crew comes. Step 4: compare written quotes. Step 5: request an 811 locate ahead of any stump work.

Local conditions

Sandy, flat ground: NRCS soil survey data for Suffolk (NY103) put only 5.2% of mapped acres at 15% slope or more and show no bedrock within about 100 cm anywhere, since the county sits on deep glacial sand, so most yards are reachable by bucket truck.

Moraine hills: the steeper ground is along the Harbor Hill moraine on the North Shore near Huntington, Northport and Port Jefferson, where big oaks grow on slopes above the Sound.

Pine Barrens: pitch pine and scrub oak dominate the center of the county around Riverhead, Manorville and Ridge, where wildfire risk shapes clearing near homes.

Coastal storms: oaks and pines on sandy soil uproot in hurricane gusts, especially near the bays on the South Shore and the forks in the east.

What drives local prices

Big North Shore oaks run $300 to $2,500 each in HomeGuide's species table.
A 60- to 80-foot tree is $850 to $2,000 in HomeGuide's height table.
Town fees: Huntington charges $25 per five trees up to $500; Brookhaven's clearing permit starts at a $410 application fee.
Stumps add $100 to $500 or more, HomeGuide says.
Method: national dollar ranges published by HomeGuide on Feb 4, 2026 and town fee schedules. Checked October 20, 2026.

Common jobs

Removing big oaks over homes on the North Shore.
Storm cleanup after hurricanes and nor'easters.
Clearing pitch pine near houses in the Pine Barrens.
Permitted removals for pools and additions under town codes.

Service area

We hear from Huntington, Babylon, Islip, Brookhaven, Smithtown, Riverhead, Southampton, East Hampton, Southold and Port Jefferson. I-495 (the Long Island Expressway) runs down the middle, the Northern State Parkway and Sunrise Highway cross the island, and Route 25 and Route 27 reach the forks.

PSEG Long Island maintains the power lines; it handles trees on wires.

Send the free form below with the kind of tree, its size and your town.

Communities: Huntington, Babylon, Islip, Brookhaven, Smithtown, Riverhead, Southampton, East Hampton, Southold, Port Jefferson

When something can’t wait

For trees on lines, call PSEG Long Island and keep away. Storm rates can run 2-3x normal per HomeGuide.

Questions about Suffolk County

What should I expect to pay for a tree in Suffolk County?

About $400 to $1,200 per typical tree by HomeGuide's 2026 numbers; big oaks can cost up to $2,500.

Do I need a tree permit on Long Island?

It depends on your town. Huntington requires one for larger trees, and Brookhaven says its clearing permit applies to lots of 2 acres or more.

What does Huntington charge?

$25 per five trees, capped at $500 for a single-family home, and nothing for documented dead or hazardous trees.

Why do trees fall so easily in hurricanes here?

Deep sandy soil gives roots less grip when it's saturated and winds are high.

Sources

Related tree removal guides

Local fees and rules change. Confirm with the county or state office named above before you clear. For published price ranges, see land clearing cost per acre or follow the worked estimate. Estimate your clearing cost.