How Suffolk County’s Trees Are Being Selected Today to Survive Tomorrow’s Weather
As climate patterns shift across Long Island, property owners and arborists are taking a proactive approach to tree selection that goes far beyond aesthetics. Climate adaptation forestry—the practice of choosing and managing trees based on projected future weather conditions rather than current ones—is revolutionizing how we think about our landscape investments in Suffolk County.
The Science Behind Climate-Adapted Tree Selection
Forests in New England and Northern New York will be affected by a changing climate and other stressors during this century, but individual tree species will respond uniquely to climate change, depending on their particular silvics and ecological tolerances. These handouts summarize general climate change projections for tree species across several landscapes in the region based on future projection models from the USDA Forest Service’s Climate Change Tree Atlas.
Averaged over the entire year, temperature on Long Island is projected to increase between 3.8°F and 5.8°F by the 2050s and between 5.1°F and 9.5°F by the 2080s compared to the 1981–2010 average. This significant temperature increase means that trees planted today must be selected not just for current conditions, but for the climate they’ll experience throughout their 50-100 year lifespan.
Understanding Tree Migration and Adaptation
The challenge facing Suffolk County’s trees is unprecedented. An unprecedented challenge trees face is that the climate is changing much faster than historical migration rates. To match projected rates of climate change, trees may need to migrate much faster – up to 5 miles per year. Since natural migration cannot keep pace with climate change, human intervention through strategic tree selection becomes crucial.
One strategy is to identify and promote future climate-adapted tree species. However, specific site conditions and local factors are also important for selecting future climate-adapted species. This is where professional expertise becomes invaluable for property owners making long-term landscape investments.
Tree Categories for Climate Adaptation
Climate scientists have identified several categories of trees based on their projected performance in changing conditions:
Declining Northern Species: Species in this group include balsam fir, white spruce, quaking aspen, paper birch, northern white-cedar, pin cherry, black ash, and tamarack (larch). A warming climate poses challenges for this group because they are adapted to colder locations.
Stable Central Species: The second group includes species with the center of their habitat range in or near the Northeast, such as sugar maple, white pine, eastern hemlock, American beech, red maple, and yellow birch. These species may exhibit varied responses to climate change due to their wide distribution across the region.
Expanding Southern Species: The third group includes species with ranges extending south, with the Northeast being historically at the northern limit of their range. These species, adapted to warmer and more southerly areas, may expand their ranges farther into the region due to climate change.
Practical Applications for Suffolk County Property Owners
For Suffolk County residents, this science translates into practical tree selection strategies. Red Maples thrive in Long Island’s climate and prefer moist soil. One of the key benefits of this tree is that it is incredibly low maintenance and rarely suffers from diseases. Species like red maple represent the stable performers that can bridge current and future conditions effectively.
Professional tree service suffolk county providers are increasingly incorporating climate projections into their recommendations. Companies like Rolling Hills Property Services, which serves Suffolk County with comprehensive property maintenance including tree services, understand the importance of selecting species that will thrive in Long Island’s evolving climate conditions.
The Role of Professional Tree Services
We understand the particular needs of Suffolk County properties. We stand behind our work and your complete satisfaction is our top priority. This local expertise becomes crucial when implementing climate adaptation strategies, as site-specific factors like soil conditions, drainage patterns, and microclimates all influence species selection success.
Smithtown’s mature trees—including the common pitch pines, white oaks, and scarlet oaks—require specialized care. Our local expertise means we understand how these species respond to our climate and soil conditions. This knowledge extends beyond individual tree care to strategic planning for future plantings.
Implementation Strategies
Climate adaptation forestry isn’t just about species selection—it’s about comprehensive planning. Human choices will also continue to influence forest distribution, especially for tree species that are projected to increase. Planting programs may assist the movement of future-adapted species, but this will depend on management decisions.
Property owners should consider gradual diversification of their tree portfolio, incorporating climate-adapted species while maintaining existing healthy trees. This approach reduces risk while building resilience for future conditions.
Looking Forward
Forests may look very different in the future as a result of climate change. Other species may be able to take advantage of new conditions and expand northward over time. By making informed decisions today about tree selection and management, Suffolk County property owners can ensure their landscapes remain beautiful, functional, and valuable for generations to come.
The investment in climate-adapted tree selection pays dividends not only in property value and aesthetics but also in reduced maintenance costs and increased resilience to extreme weather events. As climate patterns continue to evolve, the trees we plant today will serve as the foundation for Suffolk County’s future forest canopy.