Caring for new street trees

The Parks Department seems to have made a recent visit to some blocks in Lefferts and planted us some new street trees. Hooray! Thanks to everyone who has requested trees, and for those of you who haven't been successful yet, let's keep prodding the city to get with the program. Here is a link to the NYC street tree request form. Be warned, there is a long wait time on getting street trees.

If you have a recently planted street tree in front of your house or building, maintenance is a key factor in ensuring that it continues to be healthy. The first year after planting is a critical time. Now that the danger of frost is dissipating, young trees need a lot of water. Watering should be done slowly, allowing the moisture to permeate the soil deeply. This allows the tree to develop a deep root system rather than depending on shallow roots. A soaker hose or water-filled garbage can with holes poked in it could work. Make sure that the tree is adequately mulched so that moisture is maintained.

Want to know more? There is a decent BBG website on the care and maintenance of street trees and pits.

Want to do more? Take the Trees New York course and become a NYC certified Citizen Pruner! Classes at BBG start April 28th. Yes, YOU TOO can "become an informed steward of NYC's urban forest..."

RELATED POSTS:
Want more trees on your block?
Help the city put more trees in PLG

Comments

[carrie]

Thanks for the info... now mind if I gripe?

The City came and cut a place for our tree pit over 7 months ago but we've yet to see a tree. I've called to complain -- the broken sidewalk is a real tripping hazard -- to no avail. The different departments responsible for street trees really need to coordinate things better.

[jessica]

Actually, while I was snapping this tree photo, one of the neighbors told me that this particular tree was installed directly on top of the gas and water lines coming into the house. Way to go, ace!

So I'd definitely agree that coordination is not the city's strong point when it comes to street trees.

[jessica]

And, not that we shouldn't be pushing the city to plant its own darn trees, thank you very much, there is always the option of getting out there and planting one yourself. There is a permit application available from the Parks department. Local nurseries such as David Shannon on Fort Hamilton Parkway can provide a list of NYC-approved species, as well as selling the trees.

[Xris (Flatbush Gardener)]

Linked

[Charles Star]

I'm surprised that they built over the gas lines, Jessica. I know that my next-door neighbor was turned down for a street tree because of the proximity of utility lines.

Thanks for the link Xris, and very sorry to hear about Spot.

[dt]

Not only did the city know they were planting over the gas line, but when we requested that they move the marked planting location of this tree (before they planted it), and ours next door, so that they wouldn't be planted over lines the forester for our area was unresponsive-to the point of lazy-I think.

[Charles Star]

*sigh* Typical...