Friday, May 10, 2013

'Arborcide' — People are pissed that this tree was chopped down on St. Mark's Place



Ugh. This morning, EVG reader Ann was walking on St. Mark's between Second Avenue and Third Avenue when she spotted workers removing this beauty on the south side of the street.

Later, when there was nothing left but the stump, someone left this sign and flowers...


[Photo by Chloe Sweeney McGlade via Facebook]

It reads in part:

"You have killed the most poetic perfectly healthy beautiful ornamental Callery pear tree ... You are killing the historic character of this block..."

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why they have to kill the flowers too?!

Scooby said...

This is upsetting to say the least - infuriating begins to describe what I feel. What is it about humans that have to cut down everything? The neighborhood I grew up in had tons of trees. I went back after not being there for two years - it looks like little house on the prairie - WTF?!? Dreadful. Stop this shit!!!! Save OUR trees and neighborhood!

Anonymous said...

there really has to be more of a process before they can just come in and cut down something that has been growing on a block for decades

glamma said...

WTF!

Anonymous said...

I'd sure like to know the reason for this tree being removed. (I'm sure there is one)
Trees need care, and this city gives it's trees the shitiest care of any city I've ever seen. (traveled a lot)
If trees aren't cared for they become sick. Especially in this environment.
Mind you; once a sidewalk tree goes in, it's the responsibility of the property owner for it's general care (i.e., water). Up until the last two days, the only water all of these brand new trees that were just planted, have received is in the form of dog urine, and the occasional frat boy heave.
I guess the city has deemed that the way to manage the city trees is to plant 'em, forget 'em. And then have crews just keep repeating that over and over as young trees succumb to the environment, rather than have crews maintain these trees for the long term.

greg6833 said...

Bastards! The curved tree at TSP is next.

Anonymous said...

Have any of you thought that maybe the tree was diseased? OR could potentially harm someone?

Anonymous said...

Who cut it down? Is there any way to find out why or how they were allowed to do it?

Anonymous said...

Call the city and ask why!

Anonymous said...

one of the larger branches had split over the weekend and was leaning over the road so it was only a mater of time before the tree came down with or without the assistance of mother nature

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 4:43PM: "Up until the last two days, the only water all of these brand new trees that were just planted, have received is in the form of dog urine, and the occasional frat boy heave."

The ONLY water they receive? What's rain, snow, and general moisture from the air - chopped liver?!?

Anonymous said...

That's a prime spot for Citi docking station.

Anonymous said...

So, so many here two days ago said the city had every right to plop a 75 foot bike station in front of any house it pleases, but it has no right to determine the when and where to plant or remove trees?

Mark Hand The Catchman said...

I live on the block, this is one of two tress heavily damaged by Hurricane Sandy ... not sure if pruning would have helped.
Arboricide? Spare me the drama [well maybe the Cooper Union Tree was an unnecessary 'arboricide']

Anonymous said...

Anon 6:03 PM

None of the elements you sited have ben present (up until the last 2-3 days) for these NEW trees. I'm talking about the "Million Trees Program" that has just planted all these new trees. (maybe you don't live here (?)
This has been the driest April in 50 years. (look it up)

null said...

The tree was hit by lightening over the summer, knocking off a third of the tree. I'd assume bureaucracy bought it 6 more months of life before its scheduled death.