A Growing Revolution: How Suffolk County’s Native Trees Are Proving Their Superiority Over Traditional Landscape Choices

Suffolk County property owners are discovering what ecologists have known for years: native trees adapted to local climate and soil conditions require less water, exhibit greater resilience to prevalent pests and diseases, and grow so easily here without regular waterings and fertilizers. This native tree renaissance is transforming landscapes across Long Island, delivering superior performance while supporting local ecosystems in ways that traditional exotic plantings simply cannot match.

The Science Behind Native Tree Superiority

Recent research conducted by Karin Burghardt and Doug Tallamy from the University of Delaware involved planting imitation yards with different common garden selections of both native and non-native tree species, and collecting data over a three-year period. The study shows that not only are natives much better at sustaining local insects, planting non-natives actually compounds the problem of declining species diversity because non-natives support fewer herbivore species across our landscapes.

Native trees from Long Island offer unique advantages for urban landscaping, providing aesthetic appeal, enhancing biodiversity, and requiring less maintenance. These benefits include improved water conservation as native plants grow quickly and well in the area’s soil and climate, plus healthy growth and beautiful flowers from species that have acclimated to the area’s seasonal changes.

Suffolk County’s Native Tree Champions

Several native species are leading this renaissance in Suffolk County landscapes. The Red Maple is a handsome shade tree, named for its often red autumn leaf display, growing 40-60 feet in cultivation. The Northern White Oak is an imposing, deciduous tree that grows 80-100 feet tall, featuring a straight trunk, a wide crown, and numerous horizontal branches.

The hardy Pitch Pine is suitable for planting on dry rocky soil that other trees cannot tolerate, making it perfect for challenging Suffolk County sites. Sweet Crabapple hosts over 300 species of caterpillar, which in turn support our nesting songbirds, and is recognized as being of special importance to native bees including Bumblebees.

Performance Advantages Over Non-Native Species

The performance gap between native and non-native trees becomes clear when examining their ecological impact. Many of the trees we see growing on Long Island are highly invasive and non-native — commonly Chinese exotics brought here over 200 years ago. Today most Long Island soils harbor viable seeds dispersed from their descendants via wind, birds, or mammals years to decades ago. Under the right circumstances — often sun exposure when land is cleared — these seeds will germinate and grow to out-compete native species.

Native trees are not invasive and have natural counters to prevent them from growing too large or wide, while offering higher survivability since trees may seem invincible, they are often quite sensitive to the environment. Native plants are key to shoreline and hillside erosion control, with their deep roots stabilizing soils and absorbing excess water.

Wildlife and Ecosystem Benefits

Plants that have long grown in the region are vital for the conservation of area wildlife, as birds, animals and insects have grown accustomed to using these specific plants for their shelter as well as for food. Oak species host over 520 species of caterpillar making them a living songbird feeder, while American Plum hosts over 450 species of caterpillar and is recognized as being of special importance to native bees including Bumblebees.

Native trees create habitats for birds and insects, promoting local biodiversity and a healthier environment. Long Island’s landscapes are changing, especially since invasive plants outcompete native species. When native plants disappear or are replaced by alien exotics, many food sources and habitats for beneficial pollinators, birds, and other animals that co-evolved with them are lost.

Professional Installation and Care

For property owners considering the switch to native trees, professional guidance ensures optimal results. When selecting Tree Planting Services in Suffolk County, NY, it’s essential to work with certified arborists who understand the specific needs of native species and proper planting techniques.

Licensed arborists are committed to offering scientifically based landscape management and delivering quality services, with Jones Tree and Plant Care inspecting landscapes, diagnosing problems, and making recommendations based on knowledge and expertise gained through over 10 years of experience in the industry. Professional services use only the safest and most effective methods tailored to specific landscape needs, helping in promoting biodiversity, improving soil health, and creating a more sustainable environment.

Economic and Maintenance Advantages

When you choose plants that have long grown in the Long Island area rather than beautiful but exotic plants that do not historically grow here, you will find that your time in the garden becomes easier and more enjoyable. Because these plants grow so easily here, they do well even without regular waterings and without fertilizers and pesticides, attracting birds and butterflies to your yard and saving you money over time by taking care of themselves for years.

Trees like the Eastern Red Cedar and the White Oak add natural beauty with their diverse shapes and colors, provide shade reducing the need for cooling in summer, and help absorb sound, reducing noise pollution in busy areas.

Supporting the Native Tree Movement

Making conscious decisions to incorporate native plants into personal landscapes supports the market’s demand, encouraging more nurseries to stock native species. Purchase power directly influences nurseries, and by choosing native plants, you signal to suppliers the growing market interest, prompting them to adjust their inventory accordingly.

The Suffolk County native tree renaissance represents more than just a landscaping trend—it’s a return to ecological wisdom that delivers superior performance, reduced maintenance, and meaningful environmental benefits. As more property owners experience the advantages of native species firsthand, this movement continues to grow, creating healthier landscapes and stronger ecosystems throughout Long Island.