The Beginning
At 22, Steve Relyea started Red Cedar with a truck, a lawnmower, and a simple plan — knock on doors until someone said yes. The first clients came one neighborhood at a time, mowing lawns and earning trust through results.
Our Story
At 22, Steve Relyea had a truck, a lawnmower, and a simple plan: knock on doors until someone said yes. What started as mowing lawns one neighborhood at a time quickly turned into something bigger.
After graduating from SUNY Cobleskill and learning the craft of an arborist, Steve didn’t want his knowledge to stay on paper. He wanted to apply it in the real world: on real properties, with real problems to solve. He built Red Cedar the old-school way: show up, do the work right, and let results speak for themselves.
Forty years later, Steve still doesn’t take the growth for granted. That one truck became a fleet of more than 30, but the mindset stayed the same. Premium work, done with care. Straight communication. And a standard you can see the moment the job is finished.
Even with an expert team behind him, Steve still enjoys being on site, walking properties, consulting with clients, and making sure the plan matches the reality on the ground. These days, that role lets him stay locked in on the latest equipment, methods, and industry best practices—so Red Cedar keeps delivering reliable work at a premium level.
Steve on site
Even after 40 years, Steve still enjoys walking properties, meeting with clients, and making sure the plan matches the reality on the ground. He stays hands-on because that’s what keeps Red Cedar’s standards where they should be. When you work with Red Cedar, there’s a good chance Steve’s been on your site — evaluating conditions, consulting on the approach, and making sure the crew has what they need to deliver.
Crew
Red Cedar’s crew is the reason the work looks the way it does. We run consistent teams across jobs — experienced operators, skilled laborers, and crew leads who know what “done right” looks like. When you hire Red Cedar, you’re getting a team that takes pride in clean execution and treats your property with respect.
Equipment
What started with one truck is now a fleet of more than 30 vehicles, excavators, loaders, and specialized equipment built for serious outdoor work. We invest in proper equipment because it means better results, faster timelines, and less disruption to your property. The right machine for the job isn’t optional — it’s how we operate.
Building the Fleet
Red Cedar expanded into hardscapes, excavation, and commercial services. The crew grew, the equipment fleet multiplied, and the company became a go-to partner for estate homeowners and commercial property managers across the Hudson Valley.
Full-Service Operations
With a fleet of 30+ vehicles and a full-service team, Red Cedar cemented its reputation for premium landscape design, excavation, drainage solutions, and commercial snow management — all backed by the same straightforward communication that built the company.
40+ Years and Counting
Red Cedar continues to serve the Hudson Valley with the same standard Steve set from day one. Premium work, done with care. A reliable crew, the right equipment, and a commitment to doing it right — every project, every season.