A call for a Bendy Tree Memorial Bench in Tompkins Square Park

[EVG photo from February]

There is a petition in circulation that states:

We, the residents and friends of East Village's Tompkins Park, would like the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to permit the installation of a six-sided wooden memorial bench enclosing a decorative potted tree in the place where "Bendy Tree" stood for decades until being removed on September 20th. A creatively designed bench by a local artist and a potted tree over "Bendy Tree's" stump would best honor the unique character of the beloved "Bendy Tree."

Here's a photo illustration of how it could look...



You may find the petition here.

A memorial for bendy tree in Tompkins Square Park tomorrow

[This morning in Tompkins Square Park]

Rev. Billy and East Village residents are meeting tomorrow afternoon from 2:30-3:30 to hold a memorial for the leaning elm that the city removed last Saturday. From the EVG inbox…

The memorial will involve testimonials from residents of the community, including community garden, environmentalists and artists. The Stop Shopping Choir will sing.

The beloved 130-year-old elm was suddenly chain sawed on Saturday the 20th. Mystery surrounds the action taken by the Parks Dept., as the tree was healthy, not "structurally unsound" — as described in an anonymous sign. Bendy leaned to the east, as she has for more than a century.

The NYPD arrested Rev. Billy last Saturday after he tried to prevent workers from cutting down bendy tree. The NYPD charged him with Obstruction of Government Administration (he pleaded guilty), and sentenced him to time served — about 14 hours.

Previously on EV Grieve:
UGH: Bendy tree in Tompkins Square Park has been condemned

Bendy-lujah

That's it for bendy tree

NYPD arrests Rev. Billy for trying to stop Bendy Tree's removal

NYPD releases Rev. Billy after yesterday's Bendy Tree arrest

This will take a little time to get used to

The central part of Tompkins Square Park without the shade of the leaning elm…



Of course the Hare Krishna Tree is still a sight…

NYPD releases Rev. Billy after yesterday's Bendy Tree arrest

The NYPD arrested Rev. Billy yesterday morning after he tried to prevent workers from cutting down the leaning elm in the middle of Tompkins Square Park.

Rev. Billy tried to climb the tree, which workers were already removing. Then he stood on top of the Parks Department's cherry picker.

He argued that the tree was healthy enough to preserve, that the Parks Department should get other opinions from arborists.


[Photo by Gary Golembiewski]

Several people watching yelled back that, as sad as it was, it was time for the tree to go, that the tree presented a danger. Others pointed out that the branches that were being cut still looked healthy.

After a short prayer, Rev. Billy came down from the truck, where the waiting officers handcuffed him and led him away.

According to Rev. Billy this morning, the NYPD charged him with Obstruction of Government Administration (he pleaded guilty), and sentenced him to time served — about 14 hours. The NYPD released him a little before midnight.



Previously on EV Grieve:
UGH: Bendy tree in Tompkins Square Park has been condemned

Bendy-lujah

That's it for Bendy Tree

… a little later via EVG reader blm…



Previously on EV Grieve:
UGH: Bendy tree in Tompkins Square Park has been condemned

Bendy-lujah

NYPD arrests Rev. Billy for trying to stop Bendy Tree's removal

Rev. Billy arrived this morning at Tompkins Square Park, where workers are cutting down the leaning elm in the middle of the Park.

He stopped work when he climbed atop one of the trucks…



The NYPD was called to the scene… and they eventually arrested him … no word just yet what the charges are…






[Via EVG reader Russ]

… then work resumed on cutting down Bendy Tree…



As previously reported, an arborist hired by the Parks Department found the favorite tree structurally unsound and recommended that it be cut down.

Previously on EV Grieve:
UGH: Bendy tree in Tompkins Square Park has been condemned

Bendy-lujah

Bendy tree is coming down this morning

As of 8:16 a.m. We didn't stick around to watch... 

…and moments before the trucks arrived...



Previously on EV Grieve:
UGH: Bendy tree in Tompkins Square Park has been condemned

Please do not cut down bendy tree just yet

That's the message on signs that appeared this morning around the doomed leaning elm (aka bendy tree) in Tompkins Square Park...



As previously reported, an arborist hired by the Parks Department found the favorite tree structurally unsound and recommended that it be cut down. However, there is a movement afoot to, at the very least, get a second opinion on the tree's health and involve the Community Board in the decision before the Park loses another tree.

Photos via Church of Stop Shopping

Previously on EV Grieve:
UGH: Bendy tree in Tompkins Square Park has been condemned

Bendy-lujah

UGH: Bendy tree in Tompkins Square Park has been condemned

Terrible news out of the Park this afternoon via Goggla … The leaning elm (aka, bendy tree) in the middle of the Park has been found to be "structurally unsound" … and it "poses a danger to the public."

So it will have to be removed.



RIP, bendy tree.

Previously.

Let's not make the Bendy Tree any easier to climb!

[Photo by Bobby Williams]

Hmm. This ladder arrived the other day at the Bendy Tree, the elm next to the the Hare Krishna Tree in the center of Tompkins Square Park.

No need to give anyone an incentive to climb aboard ...


[Photo from April by Bobby Williams]

Park workers have been keeping an eye on this great tree... not that we have much confidence now when it comes to tree maintenance in the city.

A checkup for the Bendy Tree of Tompkins Square Park

Workers today are tending to the Bendy Tree, the elm next to the the Hare Krishna Tree in the center of Tompkins Square Park ... workers are giving the tree an MRI (???) to check for decay, etc.

Hope that Bendy is OK — it's probably our most favorite tree in the Park.

Hey, you darn kids! Get out of the tree!


[Photo the other day via Bobby Williams]