On July 6, we noted that a tree outside 85 E. 10th St. between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue was entombed in concrete.
EVG reader Ron, who shared the initial tip and the photo above, saw workers remove the concrete from the tree well on Wednesday. One of the workers said the building had received a fine.
As a reminder... from the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation website... in the tree pit section:
A city tree must battle many urban hazards daily — from air pollution and bicycles to dogs and people. In addition to above-ground threats, tree roots also must contend with tough below-ground conditions. A tree pit or lawn strip provides limited space for these forest giants, and this soil is a tree's only source of nutrients. Because of this, it is essential to create as nurturing a tree pit as possible.
Previously on EV Grieve:
13 comments:
Oh I hope they went around the neighborhood to address all the many 311 complaints I (and also many neighbors) made about the entombed trees back in May & June. Their response was no service was necessary for the entombed trees?! But maybe they just have to schedule and do a bunch at once? One can hope!!!
Anyone know who and why someone is doing this? I am so curious.
RATS
Usually building management. It’s so the rats don’t emerge from the soil
Heroes. Everyone who reported this.
In response to why people do it, it's because of rats. Rats build nests under the tree pits.
the landlords that do this should be
entombed in concrete
Anyone know how this works? Building gets a fine…and then how long do they have to rectify the problem before the city gets involved?
I think these 'sott spots' can attract rats. Also the roots (can) attract rats. My building had small courtyard with 2 trees ... our rat issue became so bad due to burrows etc that it was collapsing. We ended up having to remove the trees, then covered the area with a layer of concrete then bricked over. We were advised that if we wanted trees, they should be potted / not planted.
On an up note, our rat issue is finally resolved and we're able to open our doors.
If the department of parks police (yes the have officers) find a violation regarding trees (like cement in the tree pit) the building is given a fine. If the violation is not remedied an additional fine is issued.
It pays to report these issues on the Department of Parks website as they do follow up as evidenced by this post.
I just passed by another cement-tree last night in the East Village. I just don't remember where exactly. I'm sure it was already reported by an alert neighbor. But as another commenter said, sometimes reporting this results in no action from the authorities. So frustrating!
A thick wire mesh would prevent the rats but allow the tree to get nourishment, or is that solution too simple/cheap?
I was in London recently, and ALL the trees' roots in the city were encased in asphalt (or whatever they call it there).
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