Stump Grinding in Oceanside, NY

Permits & rules in Oceanside

Oceanside is an unincorporated hamlet of the Town of Hempstead, which has no tree-preservation law for private property: we found no Town permit requirement for removing a tree that stands entirely on your own lot (the Town's only tree permit covers the curbside right-of-way strip). Curbside trees between the curb and your property line are in the Town right-of-way and are the abutting owner's responsibility; removing one, by a contractor or yourself, requires a Highway Department Tree Permit ($25 residential, $150 commercial, valid 60 days) and permits are not granted for the removal of healthy or growing trees. Any other work in the right-of-way also needs a Highway permit, and new street trees are planted through the Town Engineering Department at a per-tree fee.

Storm debris: The Town Highway Department (516-489-5000; after hours Public Safety 516-538-1900) clears trees that fall into Town roads during storms, prioritizing trees blocking roads or on power lines; routine curbside brush pickup in Oceanside is run by the local sanitary district rather than the Town.

Trees we see most in Oceanside

• Pin oak The South Shore's standard street tree; chlorosis and low limbs, and large crowns over small lots
• Norway maple Common yard tree in postwar neighborhoods; shallow roots and invasive seedlings
• London planetree Big, salt-tolerant street tree; sheds bark and heavy limbs
• Silver maple Fast-growing on wet, low-lying lots; brittle limbs fail in coastal wind
• Black cherry Salt-tolerant native along canals and hedgerows; weak wood, black knot
• Norway spruce Oversized privacy evergreens; shallow roots lift in nor'easters