Here's more via the reader: "I passed by this poor tree ... There is a deep hole between the torn roots and paved sidewalk." 
The reader asks who to contact to add soil to the tree pit.
"The tree is very much alive and we should not lose another tree in this neighborhood."
17 comments:
There’s this link for illegally damaged trees (busted roots feels like it qualifies), it is worth submitting the form. Even though it says the wait time could be 2 years for someone to check on it, it’s always been significantly faster. You could also try to request a volunteer day on the street (not sure how long those take to organize). And finally, I walk around my home neighborhood (Harlem) submitting tree requests all the time. This spring we got 15 new trees on our 5 block stretch because they’d been taken out either by cars or disease. It’s worth a shot! https://www.nycgovparks.org/services/forestry/illegal-tree-work
https://www.nycgovparks.org/trees/tree-care/tree-bed-safety
"New York City law requires property owners to keep their sidewalks in safe condition."
"The soil level within the tree bed can settle or become compacted and leave the sidewalk edge exposed."
There is a dumpster full of dirt on B between 4th and 5th. I have been thinking about reading that to fill that pit up.
I have reported this tree multiple times. I even saw them come inspect it once and nothing was done.
I don't understand this city. They go to great lengths to carve out tree pits, plant various trees, create rules and regulations concerning them and yet, they make it the responsibility of "Citizen Volunteers" to maintain them.
The 33 year old tree in front of my building has never grown past the fourth year stage in height. It's been mangled by film crew trucks, has had its soil compacted into concrete, been eaten by moths, urinated on by every dog in the neighborhood and finally died this spring. Why bother planting trees if they are just ignored? It's just another half-assed good intention, like everything else city hall does.
The newly planted sidewalk trees around Tompkins square park are already dying from neglect. West of 2nd Avenue all the sidewalk trees are beautiful and they have those slow release watering bags.
Just reported. Let's save this tree.
@ 9:41 AM
I have done the same for months. Nothing happens.
@9:45 “why bother planting trees”
instead of complaining, why not lend a hand. we keep us safe.
https://citylimits.org/2022/01/24/nyc-heat-mapping-study-finds-higher-temps-in-lower-income-neighborhoods/
This thing needs like 6-7 wheelbarrows of dirt. We’ve got a lead on the dirty above. How about a wheelbarrow? We could solve the obvious problem here as an interim step to protect this thing before dinner.
NYC has absolutely no sense of the value of trees or greenery. Look at the dust pit that used to be East River Park (and the pruning job on the trees at nearby Corlears Hook Park) and more trees to go. Unfortunately, it is up to citizens to advocate and take care of trees and our green spaces, even though they may be under daily threat by the city.
contact treesny.org they plant the trees when the city gets a request and do help w some maintenance via community projects. not sure how it works as this is private property. but the educator there would probably know what to do.
@2:42 "instead of complaining, why not lend a hand. we keep us safe"
Your link describes the "need for" trees, which I absolutely agree with, but does not address my initial complaint of planting trees and then not caring for them.
I have volunteered on numerous occasions to help "clean up" Thompkins Square Park. No problem there. I would have taken care of "my" tree, but tools, supplies and tree pit guards cost money. Let's not ignore the constant abuses trees endure that I'd mentioned in my initial post.
And why is it my responsibility in the first place? Am I also supposed to fill the potholes in my street or keep the subway tracks clear of trash?
There are numerous civic minded and good hearted individuals who do take it upon themselves to care for neighborhood trees. The question still remains as to why the burden of responsibility is literally thrust upon their shoulders and not the city's?
It would benefit all of us if the city undertook to reorganize this system from top to bottom, in a manner that allows for groups/individuals to be the caretakers - with assistance from the government, or just sub-contract out the entire endeavor to a competent organization.
Who knows? They might even save money in the long run by not having to dig up and replant so many trees.
The only way to correct this situation is for people of the neighborhood to do something about it themselves. They have to clean up the garbage out of the tree pit and then get buckets of dirt and dump it into the tree pit until the roots are fully covered. Then maybe pour some water over the dirt for the tree. Hopefully it should be done soon.
There is a pile of shredded bark mulch in Tompkins Square. If each writer here went over and took two shopping bags if mulch over to the tree, we could fill in that hole. The mulch would decompose nicely. Yes, the system is broken, but individuals are not helpless. Who's in?
Love trees....but agree that the City keeps planting them without any thought about maintenance or in some instances, problematic or unsuitable locations (eg, no sun or narrow sidewalk/too close to building, bus stop).
The City can message that it is being green, addressing pollution- without taking responsibility for maintenance.
For years there have been trees on a wide expanse on Fulton Street. Unfortunately people toss trash and home to rats.
The problem gets worse.
So the City has planted more trees....
from nyc tree expert:
"Looks like rats burrowing in the tree bed to me, combined with some erosion.
Usually, the solution is to refill the holes as best you can. I have spoken with some Citizen Pruners who have had good results refilling the holes till the rats get the message and move on. But without taking more stringent efforts against the rats in the nearby buildings, sooner or later you get more rats"
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