Monday, July 1, 2024

These 2 East Village trees are still entombed in concrete

We've heard from several EVG readers about these two tree pits... the top one is outside 521 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. We mentioned it on May 7, and multiple readers said they called 311 about the entombed tree. 

Meanwhile, building management maintains that this has reduced the rat population. 

Elsewhere, there's another soon-to-be-dead tree outside 47 E. First St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue, a spot that residents said they have reported to the city.
Any others to report?

21 comments:

  1. How do they not know how trees work? How do they expect them to get any moisture?

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  2. We have a bad rat problem on E6th (who doesn't in the East Village?). I can sympathize with them using concrete because the rats just dig numerous holes in every tree pit.

    I've seen diligent super's refill the holes and sweep the sidewalks day after day, knowing full well they'll have to do it all over gain the next day.

    Still, metal meshing would be a better solution to help ameliorate the issue while doing no harm to the trees. And let's not forget about better trash pails.

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    Replies
    1. If you maintain your tree pits and not put trash on them, the rats won’t burrow. You must collapse every burrow

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  3. Please go to the Dept of Parks website to Tree Service request and then to illegally damaged trees. Click on Someone has damaged tree roots to report this.

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  4. Whoever is responsible for this insane action should be fined big time.

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  5. I reported the 521 E 5 st tree in mid-May and mid-June on the 311 app and included a picture of the cemented tree pit. The complaints were closed saying that parks had visited and there was no need for any service at this time! Just thinking of this now….Has anyone contacted the community board? There is a parks committee and they are on direct contact with parks Dept. Maybe they could help since all the community’s requests have done nothing in over a month and a half?

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  6. You can set bricks into the dirt. The ones with the holes through the middle are most conducive for tree pits but regular ones will still allow them to receive water. And you can lay mesh well below them also. Or just bricks and mesh wrapped around the base of the tree will likely solve the problem.

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    Replies
    1. Yes. Did this. No more rats in tree pits. You use an adhesive/concrete for the bricks on the edges. Fit the bricks in tight together and squeeze a bit of adhesive in between some of the interior ones. No one bothers them when you do this.

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  7. You really can't fix stupid. You just can't.

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  8. "You really can't fix stupid. You just can't."

    This is true.

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  9. @10:32- I think I'd ditch the bricks. They're often used as weapons. I'd suggest framing and countersinking the interior edges with 2 X 4s and then attaching wire mesh. Cover with mulch.

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  10. the city should keep giving the building owners tickets daily until this is fixed.

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  11. The following method works
    Step 1: Place Rodenticide Bait into rat holes (Call M&M Pest Control for help - https://mandmpestcontrol.com/)
    Step 2: Wait 2 to 3 days
    Step 3: Fill holes with sand



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  12. Maybe we could place some astroturf over the concrete.

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  13. This should be added to www.carlinafromtheblock.com

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  14. You can get rid of rats by leaving bubble gum around. They can't resist it, and they can't digest it.

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  15. There’s another one at 85 E. 10th St. between third and fourth Aves. Not sure if it’s technically the East Village but still vexing. I reported it to 311 a few days ago and have not heard back.

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  16. Please call 311 to report this. Then report the 311 complaint number you are given to Community Board 3: mn03@cb.nyc.gov

    You can also file a complaint directly with Community Board 3 here:
    https://www.nyc.gov/site/manhattancb3/about/service-complaint-form.page

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  17. I’ll forward my 311 service #s that have been closed :(

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  18. I reported this tree as well and the reply from 311 on Aug 5 said "NYC Parks visited the site and inspected the condition. No work is necessary at this time.
    contact property owner to remove, tree pit maintenance is landlord's responsibility, will be fined for damages should health of tree decline" So it seems they don't contact the the landlord and fines aren't levied *until* it starts making the tree sick? Will forward to CB3 but this is disheartening.

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