Planting is the other half of tree work in Tompkins County. Emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid and beech leaf disease have opened gaps in yards from Ithaca to Dryden, and many owners want shade, privacy or a windbreak back. The trick is choosing trees that suit the site and won’t become the next problem.
Pre-planting is where Jason Tubbs earns his keep. During the $50 consultation he looks at sun, slope, drainage, overhead wires, buried lines and the distance to the house, then recommends where new trees should go and what should come out first. That might mean grinding an old stump, clearing invasive saplings, or simply moving a planned tree a few feet so it will not crowd the roof in thirty years.
Replanting after ash and hemlock losses
In Cornell’s Arnot Forest, ash made up about 15% of the trees when emerald ash borer was confirmed there in 2018. Many Tompkins yards had a similar share of ash, and replacing all of it with one species just sets up the next loss. A mix of species spreads the risk. Jason will steer you away from ash for now, and toward a blend that fits your lot.
Trees that suit Tompkins County ground
A good guide is what already thrives nearby. Hammond Hill State Forest in Caroline and Dryden was replanted with pine, spruce, larch, maple, cherry, ash and oak, and most of those do well on similar private land. Two trees to skip: Norway maple and black locust are both on DEC’s regulated invasive species list.
- Oaks and sugar maple for long-lived shade on larger lots in Lansing and Danby
- White pine and spruce for year-round screening along roads in Dryden and Groton
- Larch where you want a conifer that drops its needles and lets winter light through
- Smaller flowering trees near Ithaca houses where space is tight
Planting in front of an Ithaca house
If the spot you have in mind is the strip between the sidewalk and the street, or anywhere else on city property, it isn’t yours to plant. City of Ithaca Code Chapter 306 requires written permission from the City Forester to plant a tree on a public street, park or city land. Contact the city before buying the tree.
Placement, deer and the planting season
Deer browse heavily across rural Tompkins County, so young trees in Lansing, Danby and Ulysses often need a tall wire cage or tree tube for their first several years. Keep large shade trees well away from foundations, septic fields and overhead wires, and remember that a tree’s crown and roots will spread far beyond the trunk you plant.
Tree Planting & Pre-Planting Questions From Tompkins County
Deer eat everything in my Lansing yard. Is planting even worth it?
It is, with protection. Young trees need a wire cage or tall tube around them until the lowest branches are above deer height, which usually takes several years. Conifers like spruce tend to hold up better than tender maples. Jason can suggest species and spacing that give new trees the best chance on your property.
Should I plant in spring or fall around Ithaca?
Both can work. Fall planting, once summer heat breaks and before the ground freezes, gives roots time to settle while the top is dormant. Spring planting works well too, as long as the tree is watered through its first summer. The right choice often depends on the species and how soon the site is ready.
How far from my house and septic field should a new shade tree go?
It depends on the species and its mature size, but large shade trees need plenty of room so the crown clears the roof and the roots stay out of drain lines. Jason looks at the full-grown size of each tree you’re considering and marks spots on the ground that will still make sense decades from now.
Want the full picture? Read our tree planting & pre-planting guide, or see everything we do in Tompkins County.