Tree work in Hackensack
Hackensack mixes dense older neighborhoods with small lots, apartment and condo buildings along Prospect and Main, and the big institutional properties around the hospital and the county seat. Mature street trees and tight access are the norm.
The $350-per-tree replacement fee is the number people miss. A 30-inch oak in the backyard means three replacement trees or $1,050 on top of the removal, which is a reason to get the tree assessed first: dead, dying and hazardous trees are generally exempt from replacement, and a Licensed Tree Expert's letter is what documents that.
Do you need a permit to remove a tree in Hackensack?
Since April 2024 a city-wide ordinance (Chapter 162, Article II) regulates most tree removal in Hackensack. There is no separate permit application, but you must give advance notice to the Supervisor of the Tree Division of the DPW before removing any street tree 2.5 inches or more in diameter, or any other tree 6 inches or more in diameter (measured 4.5 ft up). The City publishes a Tree Removal Notification Form.
Replacement trees are required unless the tree is exempt: one new tree (1.5" caliper minimum) for a tree 6 to 12.99", two for 13 to 22.99", three for 23 to 32.99", and four for 33" and up, planted within 12 months and kept alive for two years. If they cannot fit on your property, the City allows planting elsewhere or a fee of $350 per tree removed into the City's tree fund.
Street trees (in the public right-of-way) may not be cut, removed or pruned without permission from the City Manager, and the adjacent owner is responsible for their maintenance.
Where to ask: Hackensack DPW Tree Division / Shade Tree Committee, 201-646-3950.
Source: City of Hackensack Code Chapter 162 (ecode360) and hackensack.org/shade-tree, read October 2026. Confirm with the City before work starts.
What it costs in Hackensack (2026)
| Job | Typical NJ price |
|---|---|
| Small tree, under 30 ft | $200 – $600 |
| Medium tree, 30 – 60 ft | $500 – $1,500 |
| Large tree, 60 – 80 ft | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| Crane removal over a house | $2,500 – $3,500+ |
| Tree trimming, mature tree | $450 – $700 |
| Stump grinding | $100 – $500 per stump |
Cost ranges are published 2026 New Jersey industry figures (tanddtree.com and treecostremovalcalculator.com NJ guides), not quotes from this site. Your price depends on the tree, access and your town.
Services in Hackensack
Tree removal
Dead, hazardous, storm-damaged or unwanted trees, including crane removals.
Emergency tree service
Trees on houses, cars and driveways after a storm.
Tree trimming
Deadwooding, raising limbs off the roof, thinning and cabling.
Stump grinding
Grind old stumps below grade so the lawn can come back.
How it works
- Tell us about the job. Your town, what you need, and a photo if you have one. Takes about a minute.
- We match you with a local tree pro. An independent Bergen County tree care company that is registered with the NJ Board of Tree Experts and insured, and that actually serves your town.
- Get a free on-site quote. The company contacts you directly, looks at the tree and gives you a written price. No obligation, and you deal with them from there.
Hackensack questions
How much does tree removal cost in Hackensack, NJ?
The same ranges as the rest of Bergen County: small trees from about $200 to $600, mature trees $500 to $2,500, and crane jobs over a house $2,500 and up, with stump grinding $100 to $500 per stump (published 2026 NJ industry figures). Hackensack's lot sizes and access are what move a specific quote.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Hackensack?
For most trees over the diameter threshold, yes, or at minimum a notice or application. The rules are summarized above with the Borough's contact; dead and hazardous trees are usually handled faster. Street trees always belong to the town.
Are the tree companies licensed?
We only refer to companies registered with the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts, which requires a Licensed Tree Expert or Licensed Tree Care Operator on staff and liability insurance. Ask for the registration number before work starts.