Over the past few decades, climate change has led to noticeable shifts in ecosystems within the United States. New York is no exception—winter seasons are now shorter, average annual temperatures are higher, and rain patterns have changed. One area where these changes are clearly visible is local tree populations. Trees are highly responsive to temperature and humidity level, making them important indicators of environmental change. Even small climate change can affect their growth, seed production and distribution. In New York State, the red maple and paper birch, two of the most common and widely distributed species, are showing signs of change in both growth and range, red maple being thriving whereas paper birches declining. These contrasting trends show that climate change is not just a distant global issue but a local and visible reality that is already shifting the trees around us.
The red maple (Acer rubrum) is one of the most widespread tree species in New York. It is the tree with the leaves that turns vivid red in the fall season, painting New York City with beautiful colors. But have you noticed any change in its population? Over the recent years, researchers have noticed that 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. According to Songlin Fei and Kim C. Steiner in their article, “Evidence for Increasing Red Maple Abundance in the Eastern United States”, red maple populations have increased in the Northeast, including some parts of upstate New York. This expansion can also be seen in urban areas like New York City, where red maples are now more commonly planted along streets and in parks. Their tolerance for a wide range of soil types and humidity levels makes them particularly resilient to climate fluctuations. As a result, the red maple is a primary example of species that prosper from climate change, at least in the short term.
While red maple expands its territory, the paper birch (Betula papyrifera), a species that is native to New York’s northern forests, is losing its habitat due to climate change. It used to be one of the most common trees in New York City and the States area. Paper birch thrives in colder climates and is sensitive to warmer temperatures and dry conditions. Louis R. Iverson, in his research, “Modeling potential climate change impacts on the trees of the northeastern United States”, claims that suitable habitat for paper birch is experiencing decline in the northeastern United States, including New York, due to the climate change. This decline is because of the paper birch’s intolerance for heat and reliance on cold temperature for seed germination and seedling survival. Therefore, paper birch populations are expected to draw back from northward, leading to a slow disappearance within New York State. This trend underscores the vulnerability of certain tree species to climate-induced habitat changes and highlights the uneven impacts of climate change on forest composition.
The changing trajectories of the red maple and paper birch in New York offer a clear, local example of how climate change does not affect all species equally. While one thrives, the other struggles—demonstrating the uneven and complex nature of ecological response. These shifts are not projections or distant concerns; they are already underway in the parks, forests, and neighborhoods we walk through every day. Understanding how our local tree populations are changing helps bring the reality of climate change closer to home. By recognizing these patterns now, we can better prepare for how our landscapes, communities, and environmental policies may need to adapt in the years ahead.
References
Fei, S., & Steiner, K. C. (2007). Evidence for increasing red maple abundance in the eastern United States. Forest Science, 53(4), 473–477. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestscience/53.4.473
Iverson, L., Prasad, A., & Matthews, S. (2007). Modeling potential climate change impacts on the trees of the northeastern United States. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 13(5–6), 487–516. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-007-9129-y
Famartin. (2014, October 30). Red Maple during autumn on Lower Ferry Road in Ewing, New Jersey [Photograph]. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2014-10-30_11_09_40_Red_Maple_during_autumn_on_Lower_Ferry_Road_in_Ewing,_New_Jersey.JPG
Wikimedia Commons. (2009, October 23). The Fall of Acadia [Photograph]. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:13._The_Fall_of_Acadia_(4039110079).jpg
