Between the September tornadoes, emerald ash borer and newer pests like beech leaf disease, many Seneca County properties have more open sky than they used to. Replanting is the chance to choose trees that suit the site, whether that is a narrow village yard in Waterloo, a windy farmstead near Ovid, or a lake lot in Interlaken.
Tubbs starts planting projects the same way as every other job: a $50 on-site consultation with Jason Tubbs. He looks at sun, soil, wind, what used to grow there and what is underground, then builds an itemized plan. That can include pre-planting work like clearing old stumps and debris. Your $50 is applied to the project once you sign off on the plan.
Spreading the risk across species
Seneca County has learned the hard way what happens when one species dominates. Ash is dying from emerald ash borer, beech leaf disease arrived here in 2023, and elm zigzag sawfly was first seen here in 2024. Planting a mix of species means one pest can’t wipe out all your shade. Jason can help you choose a mix that fits the site. Skip Norway maple and black locust, both on New York’s regulated invasive list.
Getting the ground ready first
- Grinding old or storm stumps and clearing grindings from the planting spot.
- Removing tangled brush and debris left from the September storms.
- Pruning nearby trees that would shade or crowd a new one.
- Planning around septic fields, wells, buried lines and overhead NYSEG wires.
Thinking about size thirty years out
The most common planting mistake is putting a small tree in a spot that can’t hold a big one. A young oak by the porch in Waterloo looks perfect today and is pushing on the gutters in twenty years. Jason looks at mature height and spread, distance from the house, sidewalks and neighbors, and where wires run overhead. Placing a tree right the first time is cheaper than removing it later.
Spring or fall, and the deer question
Both spring and fall work for planting in Seneca County, as long as the new tree gets steady water while it settles in. Out in farm country around Romulus, Lodi and Fayette, deer will browse young trees and rub bark with antlers, so plan for protection on anything you care about. Lake properties get more wind, so stake and site with that in mind.
Tree Planting & Pre-Planting Questions From Seneca County
What should I plant where my ash tree used to be?
Choose something different from ash, and think about the space the tree will need at full size. Jason will look at sun, soil, nearby buildings and lines, and suggest options that fit. Many people replanting after ash losses pick a mix of species so a future pest problem won’t take everything at once.
How far should a new tree go from my septic field?
Tree roots go looking for water, and septic lines are a target. Keep new trees well away from the field and lines, and pick species with less aggressive roots near them. Jason will want to know where your system sits so he can mark planting spots that won’t cause trouble later.
Do new trees need deer protection out in Romulus or Ovid?
In most rural parts of Seneca County, yes. Deer browse buds and rub young trunks, especially in fall and winter. Fencing or tree guards around new plantings are usually worth it. Jason can point out which spots on your property see the most deer traffic.
Want the full picture? Read our tree planting & pre-planting guide, or see everything we do in Seneca County.