Suffolk & Nassau County, Long Island
Tree Removal on Long Island
When a tree on your property is dead, storm-damaged, leaning toward a structure, or simply in the way of a project, Big Brother Tree Service handles the removal from start to finish. We're a licensed and insured tree service based in Lindenhurst, and we work throughout Suffolk and Nassau County, from the Great South Bay shoreline up through the Pine Barrens communities and out toward the North Shore.
Call (631) 873-1596Tree removal on Long Island isn't one-size-fits-all. A backyard maple on a quarter-acre lot in Massapequa is a different job than a 70-foot oak leaning over a garage in Huntington, or a pitch pine stand thinned for a land-clearing project near the Pine Barrens. Our crews bring the right equipment and the right plan for each situation, and we walk every property before we quote a number so you know what to expect.
What our crews handle
We remove trees of every size and species found on Long Island, from ornamental dogwoods and Japanese maples to mature oaks, maples, pines, and the pitch pine common in and around the Pine Barrens. We take down dead and hazardous trees, storm-damaged trees, trees that are lifting sidewalks or foundations, and healthy trees that simply need to come down to make room for a pool, addition, or driveway.
Every removal is assessed individually. We look at the lean, the condition of the trunk and root system, what's nearby, and how we can get equipment onto the property. Long Island lots vary a lot in size and access, and that shapes the whole plan for the job.
Crane-assisted removals and bucket-truck work
For large trees, trees in tight spots, or trees that can't safely be climbed and dropped in sections by hand, we bring in a crane. Crane work lets us lift heavy sections straight up and over a house, pool, or fence line without dropping wood through the yard, which keeps the property and anything nearby protected and speeds the job up considerably on the right site.
Bucket trucks are our go-to for trees with good road or driveway access where a crane isn't necessary. The bucket lets our climbers reach the canopy safely and cut it down in controlled sections, which is standard practice for most mid-size residential removals across our service area.
Tight-access and near-power-line removals
A lot of Long Island properties, especially older neighborhoods in Bay Shore, Amityville, and Copiague, were built with narrow side yards and mature trees close to the house, the neighbor's fence, or PSEG Long Island's overhead lines. These jobs require careful rigging: sections of the tree are tied off and lowered on ropes instead of dropped, so nothing swings into a roof, a shed, or a service drop.
When a tree is genuinely entangled with or leaning on a power line, we coordinate around PSEG Long Island's equipment and, when the situation calls for it, wait for the utility to de-energize or clear the line before we work near it. We never ask a crew to work a live line — that's a hard line for us regardless of schedule pressure.
What drives the cost of a removal
Every quote is based on a free on-site estimate, but the main factors that move the price are consistent from job to job: the height and trunk diameter of the tree, how difficult the access is, how close the tree is to a house, garage, pool, or power line, and whether you want the stump ground out or left in place.
As a rough range, a small-to-medium ornamental tree removal on an easy-access lot often runs a few hundred to around a thousand dollars, while a large mature oak or pine with tight access, crane work, or wires nearby can run well into the multiple thousands. Stump grinding is typically quoted separately. The only way to get an accurate number for your property is a free estimate — we'll walk the site and give you a written number before any work starts.
What's included in cleanup
A removal isn't finished until the yard is usable again. Our standard cleanup includes cutting the trunk and branches into manageable sections, chipping brush and smaller limbs on site, hauling away all wood and debris, and raking the work area clear of chips and sawdust.
If you want firewood-length rounds left on site, tell us during the estimate and we'll leave what you'd like and haul the rest. Stump removal and grinding, along with topsoil and grass seed for the resulting bare patch, are available as add-ons if you want the area fully restored rather than just cleared.
- Full removal of trunk, limbs, and brush
- On-site chipping of smaller material
- Haul-away of all wood and debris
- Site raked clear of chips and sawdust
- Optional stump grinding and firewood retention
Permits in Suffolk and Nassau County
Tree removal permit rules vary by municipality across Long Island, and there's no single countywide standard. The Town of Babylon, Town of Islip, Town of Brookhaven, Town of Huntington, Town of Smithtown, Town of Oyster Bay, and Town of Hempstead each set their own rules about which trees require a permit, often based on trunk diameter, species, or whether the tree is on a protected or scenic list. Many incorporated villages layer additional requirements on top of the town code.
Because these rules change and vary block by block in some cases, we always recommend confirming directly with your town or village building department before removal, especially for large or protected trees. We're happy to help you figure out which office to call, and in many cases we can advise on the general permitting picture for your address based on past jobs in the area, but the town's current code is the final word.
Insurance, licensing, and response times
Big Brother Tree Service is licensed and insured. Before any large removal, we confirm the scope with you in writing so there are no surprises about what's included. If you're working with a homeowner's insurance claim after storm damage, we can provide an itemized invoice suited to that process.
For standard scheduled removals, we typically get a crew out for an estimate within a few days and can schedule the work soon after, depending on the season and job size. Spring and fall tend to be our busiest windows as homeowners prep yards before or after Long Island's storm season, so booking a bit ahead helps if your removal isn't urgent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does tree removal cost on Long Island?
It depends heavily on the tree's height, trunk diameter, and how hard it is to access. Small ornamental trees on easy-access lots often run a few hundred to around a thousand dollars, while large mature trees needing crane work or careful rigging near structures or wires can run into the thousands. We give every customer a free, no-obligation on-site estimate with a written price before work begins.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Suffolk or Nassau County?
It depends on your specific town or village. The Towns of Babylon, Islip, Brookhaven, Huntington, Smithtown, Oyster Bay, and Hempstead each have their own rules, often tied to trunk size or species, and many incorporated villages add further requirements. We recommend confirming with your local building department before removal, and we can help point you toward the right office.
Will you remove a tree that's leaning on power lines?
We assess it carefully and coordinate with PSEG Long Island when needed. If a tree is genuinely entangled with an energized line, we wait for the utility to make it safe before our crew works near it. We won't send climbers or bucket operators to work a live line under any circumstances, regardless of scheduling pressure.
Do you use a crane for tree removal?
Yes, for large trees or tricky sites where a crane makes the job safer and faster, we bring one in to lift sections up and over structures instead of dropping wood through the yard. For trees with good road access that don't need a lift, we typically use a bucket truck instead, which is more cost-effective.
What happens to the wood and brush after removal?
Standard cleanup includes cutting the tree into manageable sections, chipping brush and smaller branches on site, and hauling away all resulting debris so your yard is left clear. If you'd like firewood-length rounds left behind, just let us know during the estimate and we'll leave what you want and haul the rest away.
Is stump removal included with tree removal?
Not automatically — stump grinding or removal is typically quoted as a separate line item since not every customer wants it done. If you'd like the stump ground down flush or fully removed, mention it during your estimate and we'll include pricing for it alongside the tree removal quote.
How quickly can you remove a tree?
For standard, non-emergency removals, we usually schedule an on-site estimate within a few days and can often get the work done shortly after, depending on the season and crew availability. Spring and fall are our busiest stretches, so booking ahead helps if the removal isn't urgent. Storm-damaged or hazardous trees are handled with faster response.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes, Big Brother Tree Service is licensed and insured to operate throughout Suffolk and Nassau County. We provide written estimates before work starts and, if you're filing a homeowner's insurance claim after storm damage, we can supply an itemized invoice to support that process.