The MillionTreesNYC plan will foster the planting of a million new trees across the five boroughs by 2017. Besides improving air quality and beautifying the city, “Trees increase property value, and encourage neighborhood revitalization,” says the program’s website. However, tree roots can wreak havoc on sidewalks and sewers. The city will repair sidewalks torn up by tree roots, but it can take up to a year to get a piece of buckled sidewalk repaired by the city. In the meantime, “The city is responsible for any trip-and-fall cases involving tree roots in front of a three-family home or smaller,” the New York Daily News reports.

The city doesn’t pay for and damage done to sewer pipes by tree roots, though. And in order to replace a root-damaged sewer, a contractor needs a permit from the Parks Department and a hired arborist to oversee the process—which can make the project take twice as long as usual. Has anyone experienced major problems with trees on their property? Is a leafy neighborhood worth the occasional headache?
Mayor’s Plan Leaves Homeowners Up a Tree [NY Daily News]
Photo by MillionTreesNYC.