Suffolk County’s Forests Are Moving South to North: How Climate Migration Trees Are Reshaping Long Island’s Landscape in 2025

As Suffolk County experiences warming temperatures and shifting weather patterns, local arborists and tree service professionals are witnessing a remarkable phenomenon: trees typically found in southern regions are establishing themselves in Long Island’s changing climate. Examples include white oak, shagbark hickory, tulip poplar, eastern red-cedar, red oak, bitternut hickory, black cherry, and American sycamore. These species, adapted to warmer and more southerly areas, may expand their ranges farther into the region due to climate change.

Understanding Climate Migration in Suffolk County Trees

Habitat will become more suitable for southern species. Ecosystem models agree that longer growing seasons and warmer temperatures will increase suitable habitat and biomass for many temperate species across the assessment area. This shift is already evident across New York State, where red maples not only survive but prosper as the average annual temperature increases. Warmer winters and longer spring and summer seasons have allowed red maples to grow at a faster rate and expand northward into the regions that were previously too cold for them.

The science behind this migration is compelling. A combination of soil types, site characteristics, temperature tolerances, and precipitation levels collectively define a tree species’ habitat range – the geographic area where all individuals of that species reside. As climate and environmental conditions change, the boundaries of this habitat range may contract or expand. For instance, as temperatures rise, more of a tree species’ seeds that disperse northward or to higher elevations may survive, allowing the species to establish in nearby areas.

Suffolk County’s Changing Climate Zone

Plant hardiness zones—based on the coldest temperatures of the year and used by gardeners, farmers and arborists to select suitable flowers, shrubs and trees—have been moving northward in much of the country. Of the 243 U.S. locations Climate Central analyzed, two-thirds have already shifted to warmer planting zones since the 1950s. With continued heat-trapping pollution, Climate Central expects 90 percent of locations to shift by the middle of this century.

This warming trend presents both opportunities and challenges for Suffolk County property owners. As the climate warms, horticulturalists are trying out species adapted to more southern climates. Michael Hagen, curator of the native plant and rock gardens at the New York Botanical Garden, told me recently that his colleagues are planting southern live oaks, known for the Spanish moss that drapes, ghostlike, from their limbs.

Professional Arborists Leading the Adaptation

Forward-thinking tree service professionals are already adapting their practices to accommodate these climate shifts. As humans continue to heat the planet with greenhouse gases, potentially locking the Earth into a “hothouse” trajectory, according to new research, scientists worry that nature won’t be able to keep up with climate change. This is where professional intervention becomes crucial through a practice known as “assisted migration.”

Assisted range expansion involves planting trees in suitable areas just north of the species’ current range in order to accelerate natural migration. This strategy may help to transition the species’ composition of a forest to include a greater proportion of future climate-adapted species. For Suffolk County residents seeking professional guidance, working with an experienced tree service Suffolk County provider becomes essential for making informed decisions about species selection and long-term landscape planning.

Southern Species Thriving in Suffolk County

Several southern tree species are already showing promise in Suffolk County’s evolving climate. Third, the species is an important southern species now but is expected to substantially expand its suitable habitat northward by end of the century. These species include Quercus falcata (southern red oak), Quercus nigra L. Research indicates that blackjack oak, Carya texana Buckley (1861) (black hickory), ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei J. Buchholz) and Juniperus virginiana L. (eastern red cedar), are primarily temperature driven, and expand greatly in suitable habitat when provided much warmer temperatures as projected under climate change.

Property owners are increasingly noticing these changes in their landscapes. Some southern species are much more common here than they were 50 years ago. Two invasive species that were generally a big problem in the southeast U.S.—Mile-a-minute Vine and kudzu—are expanding rapidly in the New York area. However, not all southern migrants are problematic; many offer valuable ecosystem services and aesthetic benefits.

The Role of Professional Tree Services

Rolling Hills Property Services, a trusted Suffolk County property maintenance company, understands the importance of adapting to these environmental changes. Your satisfaction drives our commitment to providing phenomenal service and building lasting relationships. Their approach reflects the careful consideration needed when selecting tree species for Long Island’s changing climate.

We’re not just some fly-by-night crew; we care about our community. We treat every property like our own, using the best equipment and techniques to keep things looking sharp. This community-focused approach is essential when implementing climate-adaptive landscaping strategies that will benefit properties for decades to come.

Planning for 2025 and Beyond

As Suffolk County continues to experience climate change effects, the key to successful tree management lies in understanding both current conditions and future projections. So before experimenting with northward creeping trees, consult a licensed arborist or your state forestry service. Professional guidance ensures that property owners make informed decisions that enhance rather than harm local ecosystems.

In the absence of increased disturbance from wildfire, intensification of storms, and pest/pathogen outbreaks, mature trees in most New York State forests are likely to show little change by the end of the 21st century. However, growth rates of trees near the southern or lower elevation limit of their range will likely slow in the coming decades, a change that may already be occurring. Furthermore, seedlings may already be showing northward or elevational migration, especially at the deciduous−boreal boundary (ecotone), but this progression likely lags climate change and is confounded by disturbance factors and high spatial variation.

The phenomenon of climate migration trees represents both an opportunity and a responsibility for Suffolk County property owners. By working with knowledgeable professionals and selecting appropriate species for our changing climate, we can create resilient landscapes that thrive in 2025’s warming trends while supporting local ecosystem health. The trees we plant today will shape Suffolk County’s forests for generations to come, making informed species selection more critical than ever.