Saugerties, NY’s 10 Most Common Trees and How to Care for Them

Trees are woven into the identity of Saugerties, and our tree canopy here is one of the defining features of the landscape. In 2013, the Town of Saugerties commissioned a formal street tree inventory, which is a sign of how seriously the community takes its urban forest. Having served Saugerties and the surrounding area since 1936, Expert Tree Service has cared for just about every species on this list.

Here are the most common trees you’ll find in Saugerties, along with tips on how to care for them.

Need help maintaining or removing a tree in Saugerties? Call us at 845-331-6782 or visit our tree removal and trimming services page for Saugerties.

1. Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)

The Eastern White Pine is one of the most recognizable trees in Saugerties. It’s the tallest native conifer in the Northeast, and mature specimens can reach 100 feet or more.

White Pines are susceptible to white pine weevil, which causes the central leader to wilt and die back, and to white pine blister rust, which appears as orange pustules on branches. They’re also sensitive to road salt and air pollution, so if yours is near a road and showing needle browning, salt stress may be the culprit. Regular inspections, proper siting away from salt spray, and prompt removal of weevil-damaged leaders will keep your White Pine healthy for decades.

2. Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

Red Maple is one of the most widely distributed trees in the Northeast and a fixture in Saugerties yards and streetscapes. Its early red flowers signal the end of winter, and its fall foliage is among the most vivid in the region.

While adaptable, Red Maples are vulnerable to the Red Maple Borer and to Verticillium wilt, a soilborne fungal disease that causes sudden branch dieback. Their surface root systems are easily damaged by lawn equipment, so mulching around the base is one of the best things you can do for a Red Maple. Just don’t make a mulch volcano! Avoid heavy pruning in late summer, when fresh cuts can invite fungal infection.

3. Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)

Black Cherry is a fast-growing native hardwood common throughout Ulster County. It produces clusters of small white flowers in spring and dark fruit in late summer that wildlife (especially birds) depend on heavily.

Eastern tent caterpillar is the most common pest concern for Black Cherry, forming silken tents in branch forks in early spring. These are more unsightly than dangerous in most cases, but heavy infestations can defoliate a tree and weaken it over time. Black Cherry is also prone to cherry leaf spot, a fungal disease that causes yellowing and early leaf drop. Pruning for good airflow and removing tent caterpillar nests before they expand are the main maintenance tasks.

4. Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida)

Pitch Pine is a tough, fire-adapted native that thrives on the rocky, sandy soils common in parts of the Saugerties area. It’s one of the few trees that can regenerate after fire, sprouting from its trunk and roots.

Pitch Pines are generally low-maintenance compared to other pines, but they’re susceptible to the southern pine beetle in stressed conditions and to pitch canker, a fungal disease that causes resinous lesions on branches and trunk. Their irregular, open form means they rarely need structural pruning, with the main concern being removing dead branches that can become projectiles in wind events.

5. Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Eastern Hemlock is one of the most ecologically important trees in the Hudson Valley, providing dense year-round shade and critical habitat along stream banks. Many of the Hemlocks along the Esopus Creek are old-growth specimens that have stood for well over a century.

The hemlock woolly adelgid is the defining threat to this species throughout the Northeast. This tiny invasive insect coats the undersides of branches with white, woolly egg masses and can kill an untreated Hemlock within a few years. If you have Hemlocks on your property, inspect the undersides of branches annually and contact an arborist at the first sign of infestation. Treatment options exist and are most effective early.

6. White Ash (Fraxinus americana)

White Ash is a large, stately hardwood that has historically been one of the dominant canopy trees in Saugerties and throughout the Hudson Valley. Unfortunately, the emerald ash borer, which is an invasive beetle first detected in New York in 2009, has devastated ash populations across the region.

If you have a White Ash on your property, it’s worth having it assessed. Untreated ashes in infested areas have a high mortality rate, and a dead ash becomes a hazard tree quickly, as the wood degrades fast and branches become unpredictable. Preventive insecticide treatments exist and can protect high-value trees, but timing and application method matter. Call us for an assessment before the tree shows advanced symptoms.

7. American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)

American Beech is one of the most beautiful trees in the Hudson Valley forest, with its smooth silver-gray bark and golden fall foliage. It’s common in the wooded areas surrounding Saugerties and occasionally appears as a yard tree.

Beech bark disease, caused by a combination of a scale insect and a fungal infection, is spreading through the region and has killed significant numbers of mature beeches. Look for crusty, rough patches on otherwise smooth bark, as that is the signature symptom. There is no cure for beech bark disease, but professional pruning can extend a tree’s life and reduce hazard. Additionally, beeches have shallow roots that are easily damaged by soil compaction, so avoid heavy equipment near the drip line.

8. Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)

Staghorn Sumac is more shrub than shade tree in most settings, but it can reach 15-25 feet and provides some of the most spectacular fall color in the region, with deep reds and oranges that rival any maple. It’s common along roadsides, field edges, and disturbed areas throughout Saugerties.

Sumac spreads aggressively through root suckers and can form dense thickets if left unmanaged. It’s relatively pest and disease resistant, but verticillium wilt can occasionally affect it. The main management task is containing spread, so mowing or cutting suckers at the base is effective. Sumac is short-lived by tree standards, so older specimens may need removal as they decline.

9. Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

Northern Red Oak is one of the most important timber and wildlife trees in the Northeast. In Saugerties, large specimens appear in older neighborhoods and along woodland edges. Its acorns are a critical food source for deer, turkeys, and dozens of songbird species.

Red Oaks are generally hardy but susceptible to oak wilt, a lethal fungal disease that has been spreading in New York. Oak wilt moves through root grafts between neighboring trees and through bark beetles, so avoid pruning oaks from April through July when beetle activity peaks and the fungus spreads most readily. Red Oaks are also prone to gypsy moth defoliation during outbreak years; a healthy tree can usually survive one or two defoliations but repeated events weaken it significantly.

10. Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

Tree of Heaven is an invasive species originally from China that has colonized roadsides, vacant lots, and disturbed ground throughout Saugerties and the broader Hudson Valley. It grows extraordinarily fast, up to 6 feet per year, and and produces chemicals in its roots that inhibit the growth of native plants.

Despite its name, Tree of Heaven is a significant nuisance. It provides minimal wildlife value, its wood is brittle and prone to storm damage, and it spreads aggressively through seeds and root sprouts. If you have one on your property, removal is generally recommended, but it needs to be done carefully. Cutting without treating the stump will result in vigorous resprouting. Expert Tree Service can remove Tree of Heaven and treat the stump to prevent regrowth.