The last two willow trees in La Plaza Cultural on the southwest corner of Avenue C and Ninth Street will have to be removed.
A recent inspection by Manhattan Forestry confirmed what some members of the community garden had feared: the trees are rotting.
The willow (nicknamed Cher) in the corner of La Plaza by Avenue C looks especially bad ...
The other willow (aka Krusty) is located near the garden's gazebo.
Here's part of a missive that La Plaza shared:
Our weeping willow trees are around 41 years old. They were first planted in La Plaza thanks to a grant from Plant-A-Lot, and there were originally three willows and three linden trees all planted at the same time. One willow and one linen were toppled by Hurricane Irene. And another linden had to come down after Hurricane Sandy. And recently the Parks Department has determined that the willows are rotting from the inside and are in danger of falling. One even has visible fungus. The Parks Department has made a descion that they must come down and will take them down when they have the time. La Plaza Community Garden is saddened by the loss of our great willow trees and is reaching out to the community seeking people's opinion as to where we should go from here.
On Sunday afternoon, Rev. Billy and members of his choir will lead a weeping willow wake...
Per La Plaza executive director Ross Martin: "We have no idea when the city will come to perform this unthinkable yet necessary act, but it will be soon, so please join us one last time in the green shade."
[Underneath the green shade of Cher the willow tree]
Previously on EV Grieve:
Willow tree down in La Plaza Cultural
Tree muggers at the La Plaza Cultural