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August 14, 2008
Street Tree Request
I'd like to request trees to be planted in my neighborhood, particularly on the block that I live on. I don't own any property and am a renter, although my family owns the building that I live in.
Can I as a resident of NYC legally request that a tree be planted in front of someone else's property at the curb?
From the way that I interpret what is written I can legally make the request despite not owning the property where the tree would be planted in front of.
Does anyone know if this interpretation is actually legal?
From the Parks Dept. website:
"Parks plants street trees, free-of-charge, on sidewalks in front of homes, apartment buildings, and businesses in all five boroughs. To receive a free street tree, please fill out and submit the following request. (This form should be filled out by New York City residents only.)"
Here's the link to the Parks Dept. official tree request form.
http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/menuitem.a57f189830ce7553e333cd5701c789a0/index.jsp?subView=request_street_tree
Any help would be greatly appreciated and yes, I would actually help water these newly planted trees.
Comments
Eric, we have been requesting a tree for two years in front of our house. After finally being rejected recently due to utility concerns, we were notified that our street was added to the city's target list and that they are going to add trees to other empty plots on our block. Someone also mentioned on this forum that you can call 311 to have your block added to the list as well.
Posted by: cornetor at August 14, 2008 1:53 PM
I got my tree after 9 months.
Posted by: NewYawker at August 14, 2008 2:04 PM
Thank you very much.
Posted by: Eric the BeehiveHairdresser at August 14, 2008 3:36 PM
I gotta tell ya, if I'm the homeowner and you ask the city to put a tree in front of my home that I don't want - I'm going to be pretty pissed off.
I like trees as much as the next guy, but as a renter you aren't the one shelling out a small fortune to roto-rooter every year because tree roots are working there way into your clay sewer main. You won't be the one paying to replace the sidewalk or paying damages to someone who trips on the property when those same roots create upheaval on the sidewalk.
Legally you may be able to request them - I don't know that it's the right thing to be doing though.
Posted by: Bklyn Fire Alarm Guy at August 15, 2008 8:44 AM
>Legally you may be able to request them - I don't know >that it's the right thing to be doing though.
Why not just ask your owner what he/she thinks?
They may say no but they are probably going to say...if it doesn't cost me anything and I dont have to do anything (eg you obtian/fill/submit the paperwork they they will say sure no probs.
Most landlords love tennants that take an interest in their homes....as long as the rent gets paid everymonth then they dont care.
Cheers,
Dean
Posted by: deanc at August 15, 2008 9:19 AM
I asked this same question a while ago and it sparked a mildly heated debate. Search the forum archives for the topics "Street Trees" and "Trees in front of your neighbor's house?"
Posted by: brooklynguy at August 15, 2008 11:39 AM
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