Invasive Removal
Native Restoration
Serving Dutchess, Columbia and Ulster Counties
Our Services
Whether residential or commercial, your property holds the potential to become a thriving, resilient, and beautiful landscape that supports your goals. HV Groundworks exists to unlock that potential.
We restore balance where invasive plants have taken hold. We rebuild soil where it has been depleted. We reintroduce native species that belong here and that will endure. The result is not just a cleaner property, but a living landscape that grows stronger year after year.
Poison Ivy Removal and Management
Land clearing
Terrestrial Invasive Plant Identification, Removal, and Management
Native Seed Replanting
Native Meadow Installation
Soil Revitalization
Mulching
Native Tree Delivery
Wildflower Seed Delivery
Fruit Tree Renovation
Specialty Orchard Planting and Care
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We specialize in non-chemical invasive plant removal, using proven mechanical methods that protect surrounding native plants and soil health. Our approach is tailored to the specific species present, as well as the size, density, and location of the infestation.
Our methods may include complete physical removal of invasive plants, followed by strategic smothering of impacted areas using heavy-duty weed barrier fabric, cardboard, mulch, or a combination of materials. This process suppresses regrowth while allowing the soil to recover naturally. We do not use harmful herbicides.
Effective invasive control requires patience and follow-through. For that reason, our work always includes a plan for continued site monitoring and maintenance over one to two growing seasons.
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Long-term success depends on consistent management. HV Groundworks offers scheduled follow-up visits to remove regrowth, repair smothered areas, and ensure invasive species remain under control.
Once an area has stabilized, we strongly recommend native replanting, typically one to two years after initial removal. Reintroducing native trees, grasses, and wildflowers helps prevent future invasions, restores ecological balance, and creates resilient landscapes that thrive over time.
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HV Groundworks offers fruit tree renovation and restorative pruning for older or neglected apple, pear, peach, and stone fruit trees. Over time, fruit trees can become overcrowded, diseased, or unproductive due to improper pruning or lack of ongoing care. Thoughtful renovation can dramatically improve tree health, structure, and fruit production.
Our approach focuses on selective pruning to improve airflow, light penetration, and branch strength, while removing dead, damaged, or unproductive growth. We assess each tree individually and develop a multi-year care plan when needed, as older trees often benefit from gradual renovation rather than aggressive, one-time pruning.
In addition to pruning, we provide guidance on soil health, mulching, and long-term maintenance to support healthy growth and reliable fruiting. Whether you are hoping to revive a few backyard trees or manage a small orchard, our goal is to help your trees thrive and produce abundant, high-quality fruit for years to come.
Our Team
HV Groundworks restores local ecosystems across the Hudson Valley by identifying, removing, and managing harmful terrestrial invasive plants. By eliminating these aggressive species, we help protect native habitats, improve land health, and restore balance one property at a time.
In addition to invasive plant removal, we provide native tree planting and install native meadows that support pollinators, wildlife, and long-term ecological resilience. Whether you are reclaiming woodland, meadow, or residential or commercial land, our work is designed to enhance both the beauty and ecological value of your property.
HV Groundworks is a small, independently run business. When you work with us, you work directly with a small, passionate team with decades of experience We personally oversee every aspect of your project, from assessment to completion, with a focused, hands-on approach and close attention to your goals.
Molly Marquand
Molly Marquand is a botanist and ecologist based in New York’s Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains. She holds a BA in Ecology from Bates College and a Master of Science in Plant Diversity and Taxonomy from the University of Reading in partnership with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Over the course of her career, Molly has worked alongside some of the region’s leading plant conservationists. She has conducted rare plant monitoring and invasive species inventories with the New England Wildflower Society and led large-scale vegetation surveys with the Natural Resources Group of NYC Parks, mapping complex plant communities across some of the city’s most ecologically significant parks. She later coordinated the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership, guiding strategic invasive species management across the region.
Molly currently serves as Ash Collections Manager for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed Bank, overseeing a U.S. Forest Service contract to conserve New York’s native ash species in response to emerald ash borer. She also works as an independent seed collector for the Greenbelt Native Plant Center, sourcing genetically appropriate native seed for major restoration projects, and serves on the board of the New York Flora Association.
In addition to her scientific work, Molly is a published writer whose work has appeared in National Geographic, Bon Appetit, Good, and Rodale’s Organic Life.
Martin Bernstein
Martin Bernstein is the founder of Abandoned Hard Cider, a Hudson Valley venture rooted in reclaiming forgotten orchards and restoring neglected fruit trees to productive life. What began as a fascination with wild and heirloom apples evolved into hands-on work locating abandoned parcels, renovating old apple and stone fruit trees, and harvesting thousands of pounds of fruit from landscapes others had overlooked. Through careful pruning, rehabilitation, and long-term stewardship, Martin helped bring heritage trees back into health while honoring the agricultural history of the region.
That same philosophy now guides his work with HV Groundworks. Martin approaches every property with an eye for potential, structure, and renewal. Whether restoring aging fruit trees, removing invasive species, or helping land return to ecological balance, his work is grounded in practical experience, respect for the landscape, and a commitment to long-term vitality.
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