Autumn in New York this summer

[EVG photo from Monday night]

EVG reader Brian Orce asked the Parks Department about the number of dead leaves seen in Tompkins Square Park and elsewhere in the neighborhood this summer.

They responded:

Often in the high summer months, particularly if there has been intense heat waves or drought, you will see some otherwise healthy looking trees with slightly brown or dry-looking leaves. Sometimes leaves fall early due to drought or heat. We have been lucky with rain this summer (so far) so our trees shouldn’t be more stressed than normal. The leaves of London planetrees (our most common species) tend to dry out and brown in midsummer regardless of rain or heat, but there is nothing abnormal about it. You will see London planetree leaves at their best in the late spring, when they are full and green. You can use our Street Tree Map to learn more about NYC’s trees and to report a tree in need of care.

Perhaps this suitably explains why you've been hearing leaf blowers in recent weeks...