The Vital Role of Oaks in Northeastern Ecosystems

Scientists explain why Dutchess and Columbia County's legendary oaks matter — and how to save them.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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This article explores the critical importance of oak trees in the ecosystems of Dutchess and Columbia Counties in New York. It highlights the vast biodiversity that oak trees support, their resilience and longevity, and the threats they currently face. Experts emphasize the need to plant more oak trees to preserve these keystone species and the vibrant web of life they sustain.

Why it matters

Oaks are a keystone species in the Northeastern United States, supporting over 2,300 other species of plants and animals. As these majestic trees face threats from climate change, pests, and human activity, understanding their ecological significance and taking action to protect them is crucial for preserving the region's biodiversity.

The details

Oak trees have dominated the forests of Dutchess and Columbia Counties for nearly 10,000 years, providing food, shelter, and breeding grounds for a vast array of wildlife. A single mature oak can support over 2,300 different species, from pollinators to birds to mammals. Oak trees also play a vital role in sequestering carbon, stabilizing soil, and promoting healthy water retention. However, many of the region's oldest and largest oak trees are now under threat from factors like overabundant deer, disease, and climate change-driven drought.

  • Oaks have been the dominant tree species in Dutchess County and the Hudson Highlands for nearly 10,000 years.
  • In the Pleistocene era, oaks evolved defenses against now-extinct megafauna like mammoths and giant sloths that could browse up to 18 feet high.

The players

Doug Tallamy

An entomologist and author of the book "The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees", who has made it his mission to educate people about the importance of oaks.

Dr. Charlie Canham

A local ecologist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies who has studied the history of oak dominance in the region.

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What they’re saying

“Most people don't know what's happening in and around their oaks. But they are the bread and butter of nature's food web around here.”

— Doug Tallamy, Entomologist (The New Pine Plains Herald)

“Red oaks and white oaks have been the dominant species for nearly 10,000 years in Dutchess County and the Hudson Highlands. We know this from the pollen we dredge up from the bottoms of local lakes.”

— Dr. Charlie Canham, Ecologist, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies (The New Pine Plains Herald)

What’s next

Experts recommend that residents of Dutchess and Columbia Counties plant more oak trees to help preserve these keystone species and the vibrant ecosystems they support. Tallamy's book "The Nature of Oaks" provides a month-by-month guide to the life cycle and ecological significance of oak trees.

The takeaway

Oak trees are essential to the biodiversity and ecological health of the Northeastern United States, supporting thousands of other species. However, these majestic trees are now under threat, and taking action to protect and plant more oaks is crucial for preserving the region's natural heritage.