Better Wetlands

Tree Plantings

Recommendations for tree plantings may differ greatly between higher and lower elevation wetland sites. Hardwood trees are part of the natural habitat along rivers, grasses are the natural habitat around emergent wetlands.

There are concepts to consider for both, however. Select trees that are adapted to the soils on the site, and provide food and cover for wildlife. The fruits, nuts,  seeds, foliage and shade provided by trees are important to deer, ducks, turkeys, quail, songbirds, squirrels and other wildlife. Plan to include a variety of tree species; that variety also entices a variety of wildlife.

While trees can be planted within the moist soil conditions of a floodplain, they should not be planted in areas of permanent water. Avoid planting trees on the south or west sides of a pothole wetland, since the resulting shade would hamper wetland plant growth. Trees planted near emergent wetlands offer perches for hawks, owls, and other predators. On the other hand, they may provide nesting for warblers and other woodland bird species.

A very good reason to plant trees and shrubs near your wetland is to provide a vegetative screen from nuisances such as a road or highway. Trees such as ash, spruce, walnut and willow, and shrubs such as plum, viburnum chokecherry and dogwood, will reduce the disturbance to wildlife caused by traffic, and will offer food and cover.

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Contact Information

You may send comments regarding this Web site to:

State Biologist

Mike Townsend
Syracuse, New York
Telephone: 315-477-6537

• Additional NRCS New York contacts

If you encounter any problems with files provided on this page, have questions, suggestions, or find a broken link, please contact Gary Vandawalker at 315-477-6546.

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