Workers today removed an elm tree said to be dead (or dying) in Tompkins Square Park... (first two photos by Steven)...
The tree is between the dog run and the entrance at Avenue B and Ninth Street, as this photo by Mark Cyr shows...
This is the second
large tree that the Park has lost this year.
13 comments:
I've been worried about this tree since it suddenly lost all its leaves a couple of weeks ago. I suspect it has root damage due to the continuous flooding at its base for the last several years. I blame a total lack of maintenance.
I am not an expert but I believe Elm trees have a disease (Dutch Elm Disease?) that causes them to rot from the inside.
Many still live to 100 or more years.
Look at the stumps. A rather large hole can be seen in the center of each trunk (tree itself). Many/most of these Elms were planted at the beginning of the 20th century.
Poor things are running out of lifespan. Sad.
Corrections to my thoughts welcome.
American Elm trees can easily live for 175-200 years . Some can reach 300 with proper maintenance.
I stopped by the park today and the stump of this tree looks healthy, but it definitely had something that afflicted it quickly. I could have sworn it was full of leaves this spring.
Major bummer - let's hope a replacement tree will be planted soon
I have spoken with the Parks Department and Carlina Rivera's office many times about the flooding/broken drain that consistently spills water and unfortunately is right where the bin is. Before they came in to remove the tree and now the machinery is gone it's worse - the ground is completely upturned, it looks like a jackhammer has been at the concrete. It needs to be maintained - the leak needs to be sorted, once and for all and the ground needs to be repaved both there and at the entrance at 7th and A. It's appalling and it's just being left to degrade. I love Tompkins but so little care is taken by the people who govern it.
that leak is crazy - i think it's been going for a year? what is that about??
i am sad to see these big old trees come down but given how every storm (even minor ones) seem to cause entire trees/giant limbs to come down, there's clearly a problem. last thing we need is for one of those branches to fall on a passerby. i'm glad they're being proactive instead of waiting for nature to take its toll.
So frustrating how poorly this park is maintained. It could be a real jewel, a stunning gem with historic design pedagree, in the city. If only they would maintain it.
Old proverb:
When is the best time to plant a tree? 20 Years ago.
When is the 2nd best time? Today!!!!
Let's plant some more trees, please.
Carlina Rivera’s specialty is cutting down trees, not assisting them.
Question for the tree doctors out there: If this tree had Dutch elm disease, was it smart to mulch it up the way they did? I would think if the tree had a contagious fungus or virus, spreading its mulch around would infect all the other trees as well.
It's amazing how they cut down so many trees over the years, yet have neglected to replant new. All the old large tree plots remain bare after more than 15+ years. Damaged/dying trees should have been replaced long ago.
https://evgrieve.com/2010/07/another-lost-elm-tree-in-tompkins.html?m=1
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