Communities across New York State are at risk of more severe impacts from increased heat due to climate change. Infrastructure traps and stores heat throughout the day and reduces cooling at night, which is known as the urban heat island effect. This effect can exacerbate the dangers of extreme heat events. [Read more…] about New Heat Island Mapping Tools Now Available
Urban Forestry
A New Native Species Selection Tool
Are you looking for recommendations of native plants and trees to plant on your specific site? DEC and the New York Natural Heritage Program recently released a Species Selection Tool that provides a list of recommended native tree, shrub, and herbaceous plant species, including flowering species, ferns and herbs, to improve habitats, increase biodiversity, and benefit wildlife across New York State. [Read more…] about A New Native Species Selection Tool
2026 Spongy Moth Outbreak Outlook for New York State
The spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) is a non-native insect from Europe. In New York, spongy moth caterpillars feed on a variety of trees, with oak as their preferred species.
Spongy moths have naturalized in our forested communities, which means they are always present in New York in some capacity. In recent years, spongy moth populations have experienced a boom throughout the Northeastern U.S. [Read more…] about 2026 Spongy Moth Outbreak Outlook for New York State
Oak Wilt Quarantine District Expanded in Yates, Ontario Counties
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has expanded the oak wilt quarantine districts in Yates and Ontario counties in the Finger Lakes after finding new trees infected with oak wilt. [Read more…] about Oak Wilt Quarantine District Expanded in Yates, Ontario Counties
2025 Progress Towards Planting 25 Million Trees by 2033
Governor Kathy Hochul launched the 25 Million Trees by 2033 initiative during her 2024 State of the State Address to recognize the importance of trees and forests for climate mitigation and community health.
DEC has established an online Tree Tracker, where New Yorkers can record trees they plant. Here are some statistics from the tracker for trees planted in 2025: [Read more…] about 2025 Progress Towards Planting 25 Million Trees by 2033
Maple Decline: Reviewing the Various Factors
Maple decline affects primarily sugar maple (Acer saccharum), Norway maple (Acer platanoides) and red maple (Acer rubrum) in the Northeast. The problem is not a new one; stag-headed maples were described as early as 1917 in Massachusetts.
At that time, die-back was attributed mainly to drought and to the poor conditions for tree growth afforded by the urban environment. However, reports of the incidence and severity of maple decline have increased markedly in recent decades and now include trees in urban, sugar-bush, and forest environments. [Read more…] about Maple Decline: Reviewing the Various Factors
Miyawaki Mini Forests: Revolutionary Reforestation
The Miyawaki mini forest method (also known as pocket forests) was developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki and has been successfully applied, typically on degraded land and without humus, in thousands of places across the globe. [Read more…] about Miyawaki Mini Forests: Revolutionary Reforestation
State Brownfield Cleanups Aid Housing, Preservation
In 2024, 61 brownfields were certified as cleaned-up sites by the New York State’s Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP).
Thirty-five of the 61 are planned for the creation of thousands of affordable housing units across New York City and the state, an announcement from DEC said. [Read more…] about State Brownfield Cleanups Aid Housing, Preservation
Hawk Rescued from Upstate Deli
On Tuesday, January 7th, a sergeant with the Lewis County Sherriff’s Office contacted Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Shana Kraeger to report a hawk trapped in the deli of a local grocery store in the town of Lowville in Northern New York. [Read more…] about Hawk Rescued from Upstate Deli
How Bark Helps Trees Weather Winter
When I think about winter survival, my mind first goes to wildlife: field mice curling up in nests, chickadees flocking to bird feeders, and amphibians burrowing into the mud. Rarely do I think about the adaptations of our northern species that can’t grow thicker fur, fluff up their feathers, or go underground.
Trees, for instance, face the same freezing temperatures, wet weather, and harsh winds – all with the added challenge of not being able to move. One way trees endure winter is through adaptations in their bark. [Read more…] about How Bark Helps Trees Weather Winter
New Community Reforestation Grant Program
$15 million is now available for municipalities, Indian Tribes and Nations, not-for-profit organizations, and New York State agencies through the new Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant Program.
This funding opportunity will support projects that plant new trees and restore tree cover in e. [Read more…] about New Community Reforestation Grant Program
Nissequogue River State Park’s Greenhouse & Nursery
The Nissequogue River State Park (NRSP) greenhouse and nursery is home to the growing operations for the Long Island Region of New York State Parks.
Its main purpose is to grow plant material to be distributed to the state parks of Long Island with a focus on growing native perennials, trees, and shrubs, including ornamental mums, cabbage, kale, and asters for the fall season. [Read more…] about Nissequogue River State Park’s Greenhouse & Nursery
New York City’s Kentucky Coffeetrees
The Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) is rare throughout most of its natural range. In New York City, however, it’s commonly planted as a street tree — almost 10,000 of them are scattered throughout the five boroughs.
At Marsha P. Johnson State Park, coffeetrees line the iconic central walkway. These hardy urban trees have an extraordinary history. Indigenous people, including the Dakota, Meskwaki, Omaha, Pawnee, and Ho-Chunk, used the seeds of coffeetrees as food and medicine. [Read more…] about New York City’s Kentucky Coffeetrees
Celebrating the Giant Trees Among Us
The newest Big Tree Register – a list of the largest known trees in New York State – is now available. Each year, Big Tree enthusiasts summit nomination forms for trees that they think have champion potential. This year, more than 50 new champions and co-champions were crowned, including 6 former champions from the 1980s and 1990s that had fallen off the list a decade or more ago. [Read more…] about Celebrating the Giant Trees Among Us
New York Forest Health Highlights Summary
Forests in New York cover 18.6 million acres of land making the State 61% forested. Whether it’s hiking, hunting, camping, or birdwatching, these forest lands provide recreational opportunities for millions of residents and others. [Read more…] about New York Forest Health Highlights Summary
Need to Prune a Tree? Now Is a Good Time
Do you have a tree that needs pruning? Winter is a great time to make any necessary cuts. Not only is it easier to assess a tree without its leaves, but pruning when insects are not active helps lower the risk of a fungus or disease entering the pruning wound. [Read more…] about Need to Prune a Tree? Now Is a Good Time
Nearly $1 Million in Urban Forestry Grants Awarded
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced Environmental Protection Fund grant awards totaling $978,820 for urban forest assessment and planning projects across the state. [Read more…] about Nearly $1 Million in Urban Forestry Grants Awarded
Check for Spotted Lanternflies
Now is a great time to check for spotted lanternflies (SLF). You may find some adult lanternflies lingering until the first hard frost, as well as their freshly laid egg masses that will overwinter and bring next year’s generation of lanternflies. [Read more…] about Check for Spotted Lanternflies
$12.9 Million Available For Urban and Community Forestry
Applications are now being accepted for a total of $12.9 million for urban and community forestry projects by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, through the Inflation Reduction Act. [Read more…] about $12.9 Million Available For Urban and Community Forestry
The Peculiar Acorn Pip Gall Wasp
In Northern New York, acorns ripen in late summer and normally drop from oak trees from September through October. They may fall earlier, however, for a host of reasons, from eager squirrels getting a head start on gathering nuts for the winter to environmental stress, including excessively hot or rainy weather.
Prematurely dropped acorns are green, whereas ripe acorns are brown. Other reasons acorns may drop early include poor pollination and tree infestation by insects or diseases. The most peculiar cause of premature acorn drop that I have encountered is the acorn pip gall wasp. [Read more…] about The Peculiar Acorn Pip Gall Wasp