The New York City Tree Map identified this as a weeping willow. [Updated: It was actually a corkscrew willow — thanks to the reader for this ID!]
Last Friday morning around 10:30, according to witnesses and a report on the Citizen app, a white, unmarked box truck violently lurched into the tree, causing a sizable gash across its trunk...
Some time yesterday, the tree was cut down (the first pic is from a tipster) ...
A tipster shared a clip of surveillance footage showing the truck running into the tree.
The driver of the truck did not get out and inspect any damage, and drove off, per a witness.
There was some hope from nearby residents that the tree — with its unique corkscrew trunk — could stay put.
23 comments:
I'm saddened. I really loved that tree because it grew and twisted itself into a spiral. There was no other tree like it. A loss to the character of the East Village.
That driver should be made to pay for the replacement of that tree from a tree farm. Planted in the same spot.
Ugh, there's already a lack of shade on that block, and this makes it worse. So sad.
Awful
In wealthy neighborhoods the city maintains and protects trees.
Every tree lost in our neighborhood is a shame. We lost a beautiful huge tree on East 5th Street between 1st & 2nd Aves in front of the laundromat. It was particularly stunning in the spring when it flowered. The Parks Department claimed it was rotting but the block association hired an arborist who said it was fine. It is sorely missed.
Now we are anticipating losing three trees if they build a senior housing unit on the block. They will have to be cut down to accommodate construction equipment.
Doesn't really look like a weeping willow, but does look like a tough old tree that could have easily survived having some bark scraped off it, with a little bit of arboreal surgery.
The City is way too quick to destroy trees for the slightest reason. But then, every time a tree sheds a branch there are people calling out for the City to explain why they didn't see it coming and do something about it. All care and no responsibility.
Goddamn it. A few years ago they cut down every tree, like five of them, on Essex between rivington and Stanton. They still haven’t replaced them. A and Essex now have pretty much no shade for ten blocks. But I guess it’s more important to hand out liquor licenses
It was a corkscrew willow rather than a weeping willow, so more upright but twisty.
I feel so sad that it's gone and angry that it was victim to a hit and run.
Reporting, with details, damage to a tree:
https://www.nycgovparks.org/services/forestry/request/submit?tab=illegally-damaged-tree#illegally-damaged-tree
While fines appear to be trivial ($200 - $1000) I've heard of greater fines for their destruction.
I feel rather strongly that the driver and employer should be smacked down hard.
Good thing it wasn't a human standing there.
So request a tree: https://www.nycgovparks.org/services/forestry/faq and
https://www.nycgovparks.org/services/forestry/request/submit
then care for it: https://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/stewardship
and
https://www.nycgovparks.org/trees/tree-care
I think NYC has absolutely no understanding of the priceless value of trees to urban health and well being. Instead, at best they neglect them, and at worst treat them as obstacles or nuisances. We have lost soooo many trees the past few years in the EV and LES, it’s heartbreaking—particularly in the face of rising temperatures and pollution (like wildfire smoke) caused by climate change.
Yes!
Request a tree … and ask a business/resident on the block to do the same. 🌱. https://www.nycgovparks.org/trees/street-tree-planting/request
Thank you for the link to parks dept.
I have requested that they replace the corkscrew willow at 15 Avenue A.
In the meantime, I encourage neighbors to keep an eye on the trunk. It may very well send up new shoots. If it does, the strongest one should be encouraged. If anyone could put a low border fence(less than 1 foot tall) or stakes & twine, around the tree, that will be a visual cue for those who care not to destroy the new growth.
Gardening is a heart-breaking enterprise, but we keep going. Let's rally and do what we can.
Over two decades ago, a friend introduced me to a tradition she had with this tree ~ make a wish on a penny and place the coin somewhere within its bark. I’ve made so many wishes there since.
City just replaced some trees on the block. Now already half dead since no one can be bothered to water them. This neighborhood is hopeless.
He should be fined and have his license revoked. Hideous.
I came to your site today to see if you all knew about this. I passed by the other day and saw the yellow tape and took photos, hoping it might not be cut down. I always loved this leaning tree with her beautiful gnarly, twisted trunk.
So sorry to read here that she was cut down.
I still miss the breathtaking weeping willow! Clearly I'm a tree fan.
Poor tree :(
Sad.
Everyone should be using 311 to request trees, too. It’s easy, and although slow, seems to deliver for me
Last week someone ground the stump. It was really rotten and crumbling at its core. Hopefully this means a replacement is coming sooner than later. Fingers crossed.
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