Thursday, May 1, 2008

Mourning the loss of trees

Our mature trees are disappearing due to overdevelopment and a cement it all mentality. A large tree is significantly more valuable in terms of processing pollutants than several small trees. Small trees are important but they take decades to reach maturity.

Plant Trees To Live

What needs to be done? More effort needs to be taken to preserve and care for our mature tree stock, even those on private property. In many communities across the country, a permit must be obtained before a large tree can be removed. New York City should follow suit in order to dissuade people from destroying healthy trees and to provide a healthier environment for us all.

When new homes are built, a mature tree must be viewed as an asset to preserve whenever possible, not a nuisance to be eradicated. Trees increase the value of a property.

Severe pruning endangers the health and stability of our trees. Utility companies must take care to preserve the shape and beauty of our trees when they come through clearing the wires off branches.

Our city itself sends out mixed messages about trees. Our present administration wants to plant a million trees, yet they are considering cutting down a forest of trees at the Ridgewood Reservoir for an ill conceived project. Likewise, dozens of trees have been removed on Randall's Island for another project.We see it over and over again.

The Long Island Rail Road committed arborcide along their right of way to prevent leaves from blowing onto their rails. It did not work. The wind carries leaves from distances away. Whose brainstorm was that plan?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lots of new trees planted in front of new buildings.

It seems, from new sidewalks to the tree pits, development is the way to unleash city resources to make the area in front of your building more attractive, and the developer's project more profitable.

Nice use of your taxes, don't you think so?

Oh yes. Now take a look at how the city treats your block.

Anonymous said...

We lost over a dozen establised tress with the proposed construction of the St. John's Henley Road dormitory facility; something a community located in close proximity to a major highway can ill afford.

Anonymous said...

There are lots of PR perks
and photo ops to be had
for pols planting new saplings
but none for the care of mature stately trees!

That's about the long and the short of it folks!

The "one million tree" program
is yet nother boondoggle
that's been foisted upon
the citizens of NYC
by the Bum-berg administration
as a panacea for the rampant
over development that's being rammed into our backyards!