Tree planting in Cortland County is often about replacement. Emerald ash borer has been killing ash near Cortland since before 2018, and beech leaf disease arrived in 2020. When those trees come out, owners in Homer, McGraw and the City of Cortland are left asking what to put in their place and where. A good replacement plan looks decades ahead.
Tubbs Tree Service helps with the planning side as much as the planting. Jason Tubbs looks at sun, soil, drainage, overhead wires and what is buried below, then suggests species and spots that will grow into healthy trees instead of future problems. Your $50 consultation is credited when you accept your plan.
Spreading the risk across species
The ash losses taught a hard lesson: a street or yard full of one species can be wiped out by one pest. Mixing species, mixing native maples, oaks and other hardwoods suited to your site, means one problem won’t take every tree you have. We also steer clear of Norway maple, which is on New York’s regulated invasive species list.
Picking the spot before picking the tree
- Give large shade trees plenty of room from the foundation and roof as they mature.
- Keep tall species out from under overhead wires along the road.
- Stay off septic fields and leach lines, which roots can damage.
- Avoid the curb strip in the city unless you have checked with the City of Cortland.
- Think about winter wind and summer shade on the house.
Deer, weather and the first few years
In Virgil, Marathon and other rural towns, deer browse young trees hard, so plan on guards or fencing. Spring and fall are both good planting seasons here, with fall giving roots time to settle while the soil is still warm. The first two or three summers matter most, and steady watering during dry spells makes the biggest difference.
Pre-planting work that makes it possible
Planting often starts with removal. An old stump may need to be ground, a dead ash may need to come down, or brush may need clearing to open up sun. Jason can roll all of that into one plan so the site is ready and the new trees go in at the right time.
Tree Planting & Pre-Planting Questions From Cortland County
What should I plant to replace the ash I lost in my Cortland yard?
It depends on your sun, soil and space, but the goal is something long-lived and not prone to the same problems. Native maples, oaks and other hardwoods are common choices. Avoid planting all one kind, and skip Norway maple since it is invasive. Jason can suggest a few options that fit your yard.
Can I plant a tree in the strip by the street in the city?
That strip in the City of Cortland is usually city property, and city code governs public trees. Check with the city before planting there. If you want shade on that side of the house, a spot just inside your property line is often a simpler choice that you fully control.
How far from my house should a new maple go?
Large shade trees need room for both the crown and roots, so plant well away from the foundation, roof edge and driveway. A good rule is to picture the tree at full size, often far wider than it looks in the nursery pot, and make sure it won’t touch the house or wires. Jason will mark suggested spots during your consultation.
Want the full picture? Read our tree planting & pre-planting guide, or see everything we do in Cortland County.