Free Trees for Your Block: Yay or Nay?
In New York City, the more trees there are on the street, the wealthier the neighborhood. That’s according to a recent study published in online journal PLOS One and quoted in an article in the Wall Street Journal about trees in Brooklyn. Trees are all over Cobble Hill and Park Slope, but rare in Gowanus and East New York, according to…
In New York City, the more trees there are on the street, the wealthier the neighborhood. That’s according to a recent study published in online journal PLOS One and quoted in an article in the Wall Street Journal about trees in Brooklyn.
Trees are all over Cobble Hill and Park Slope, but rare in Gowanus and East New York, according to the story. That’s because requests for the city to plant trees “mainly came from higher-income residents, who tend to be more aware of such opportunities,” according to a U.S. Forest Service scientist quoted in the article.
But the apparent correlation between trees and wealth will not last much longer in Brooklyn. The city has planted almost a million trees since 2007, most recently in East New York, said the story. They cool the streets, absorb water in storms, and increase property values.
We’ve also heard some cons that weren’t mentioned in the story. Tree roots can grow into sewer pipes, clogging plumbing and requiring expensive repairs for homeowners.
What do you think? Have you requested a free tree to be planted in front of your house?
Trees in the City: Some Streets Have It Made in the Shade [WSJ]
I am all for tree planting. Why such garbage trees? Trees that stinks, magnet for birds to $#!+ all over your car and sidewalk. Not to mention the excessive pollen. If you’re going to brag about your tree planting, at least plant a tree worthy of bragging rights.
We have had 3 trees in front of our house over the past 17 years in Carroll Gardens/Gowanus. The first tree was about 60 years old, and uprooted by sanitation when they plowed into the tree while plowing the street (naturally sanitation denied this). Second tree plated a year later, a nice pear tree which died during a long hot rainless summer. We were offered the opportunity to pick out a tree and told when it was going to be planted.
The third tree is the biggest mystery. The city showed up randomly one cold fall day and planted a “Service Berry” tree, a total disaster. It grows dark purple berries which 1) fall, ending up staining the sidewalk, 2) causing one to constantly check the bottom of their shoes as not to bring in smashed berries into the house, 3) the hundreds of birds in this tree, pooping on cars parked underneath it, and dropping the berries (yes, they stain) all over mine and my neighbors outdoor furniture. Quite nice. Must have been one pissed off parks dept employee who got their revenge.
Haha, lovely! Thanks for sharing, I had a good laugh 🙂
Has anyone experienced any problems with their tree in front of the house? (tree roots in sewer line, any impact on gas line/electric etc)
There is no correlation between trees and wealth it is a very selective report. I picked it apart a few weeks ago with someone. Want an easy way to disprove the theory? Walk outside your house in bed stuy, see those nice big trees? Those weren’t planted 2 years ago, or 5, or 10, most of them are 30/40/50+ years old. That means those trees were planted when the neighb was dead poor, they survived through the crack era in one of the worst neighbs in the country. Or go up to the bronx, you can find plenty of tree lined streets in hoods that aren’t wealthy or even close to it.
Trying to claim the trees are an indicator of wealth is very untrue.
yes, ‘gowanus’ — may lack trees because it is more an industrial zone than a neighborhood.