Tree planting in Chemung County is often about replacement. Emerald ash borer has taken ash trees from yards across Elmira and Horseheads, and beech leaf disease has reached the county too. Many owners want shade back, but they do not want to plant the same problem again. Others in Big Flats are starting from bare ground on a new lot and want trees that will suit the house for decades.
Pre-planting is the step most people skip. Before anything goes in the ground, Jason Tubbs looks at sun, soil, drainage, overhead wires, the house and what lies underground. His plan covers species ideas, placement and any site work, such as clearing old roots or grinding a stump nearby, with options at different levels. The $50 visit is credited once you accept the plan.
Replacing Ash and Beech With Variety
A neighborhood planted heavily with one kind of tree can lose most of its canopy to one pest. A mix of species spreads that risk. Jason can talk through native options suited to your site and steer you away from Norway maple and black locust, which are on New York’s regulated invasive species list.
Reading the Ground From River Flats to Hillsides
Soil and water vary a lot across the county. Low ground near the Chemung River in Elmira and Southport can stay wet in long rains, and the June 1972 flood showed how high the water can reach. Hillside yards in Elmira Heights and rural lots in Chemung and Van Etten may drain fast and dry out. The right tree for one spot can struggle a few streets away.
Spacing From Houses, Septic and Wires
- Leave room for the mature canopy, not the size of the sapling.
- Keep large trees well back from foundations, decks and chimneys.
- Avoid planting over septic fields, where roots can find the lines.
- Choose smaller species under NYSEG wires so they never need heavy cutting.
- Call before you dig so buried utilities are marked.
Deer, Season and the First Few Years
Rural and edge-of-town yards in Big Flats, Catlin and Chemung see deer browsing, so young trees may need guards or fencing. Spring and fall are both common planting windows, with the choice depending on the species and how much watering you can manage. A new tree needs steady water and mulch for its first seasons, and Jason will explain what that looks like.
Tree Planting & Pre-Planting Questions From Chemung County
What should I plant in Elmira to replace the ash I lost?
Pick something different from what your neighbors have, so one pest cannot wipe out the block again. Jason will look at your sun, soil and space and suggest a few suitable species, avoiding regulated invasives like Norway maple. The right answer for a shady city lot is different from an open yard in Big Flats.
How far from my house and septic should a new tree go in Chemung?
It depends on how big the tree will get. Large shade trees need plenty of room from foundations and should stay off septic fields entirely. Smaller ornamental trees can sit closer. Jason measures the space during the pre-planting visit and marks spots that will still work when the tree is full grown.
Will deer eat a young tree in my Big Flats yard?
They may, especially on yards near fields and woods. Deer browse buds and tender bark, and bucks rub young trunks. Guards, fencing or species less favored by deer can help. Jason can suggest protection that fits your yard and the trees you choose so the new planting has a fair start.
Want the full picture? Read our tree planting & pre-planting guide, or see everything we do in Chemung County.