Posts Tagged ‘trees’

A few tree-related items have popped up this week and I thought it would be worth sharing. The first is both frustrating and hilarious. I got an email from 311 in response to a request I submitted to the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation on June 22, 2018. Yes, that’s 2 years ago?? “Thank you for your street tree planting request. Pending inspection for utility conflicts, we have determined this to be a suitable location for a new tree. The next update is due within 180 days. We’ll notify […]

It’s official. I graduated and I’m now a New York City Citizen Tree Pruner! I have the authority to prune any tree in NYC that’s been planted by the parks department after two years of its installation and any tree outside of a conservatory. So, If you see me in front of your house with a pole-saw cutting your tree, please don’t call the cops. Since I last wrote about the class, I’ve learned extensively about the importance of street trees, the many dangers facing trees in our city and […]

Ahhh! I’m so excited, I just started my citizen tree pruner course!! I learned of Trees New York (treesny.org) through twitter (social media can be a good thing guys!) Their mission, “..to plant, preserve and protect New York City’s urban forest through education and community participation.” And for decades now, they’ve been doing just that: “Trees New York was founded in 1976 as a volunteer response to New York City’s devastating cutbacks in forestry and tree-related community services. Trees New York has 40 years of experience in community tree planting, […]

Over the summer I wrote a column about the development and design of my front garden. The wholesaler I was working with charged by the truckload, so the price would be the same whether it was half full or packed. This was a great opportunity to get hold of a tree, preferable one native to the area that would provide food for the birds and animal life. After consulting with plant whisperer and good buddy Walter Meyer* of Local Office Landscape Architecture, we decided to go with a serviceberry (Amelanchier […]

I’m getting a strange feeling that at the Parks Dept. quarterly round table, while deciding what trees to plant near the new boardwalk someone said, “Lets plant black pines and junipers for Rockaway resident Paula DiGioia, she loves Christmas and booze!” If only our climate allowed for grapevines… I’ve been walking to the YMCA when the weather permits and I’ve noticed new tree plantings around the boardwalk, from 90th-70th. It’s the dead of winter, but the weather has been mild. I’m guessing that’s why the Parks Dept. decided to get’em in! Props to Parks! […]

Last November I wrote about the tree the city finally planted in my sidewalk tree pit. It wasn’t doing well despite my daily watering and compost. I hadn’t given up on it, I was planning on trimming the tree next spring and giving it another year but the city came and pulled it out this week! I don’t get the tree planting system – the money it must cost the city in contracts! The tree didn’t look good when we got it, is there any oversight? Now I’m left with this! Anyway, the contractor […]

Spring has arrived in Rockaway. Time to get the bike tuned up! The new boardwalk will be done in two months, I can’t wait to cruise the whole stretch. I’m so excited to start gardening. I have big plans for the front garden this year. I’m in the process of writing a post about it. For now, here are some photos of what’s popping up in my garden. The irises. The peonies. To my delight, the Japanese maple twig I took from my sisters’ house last summer is growing! One […]

Since November when I posted about Parks finally filling my request for a tree, our block received more additions! One Juniper was planted on the side of the Beach House condo and another was set in the tree pit in front of my neighbor to the left! Junipers are beautiful evergreens. They’re even more beautiful when left to grow wild. On the side of the condo there is space for at least two more trees. Why didn’t they plant more?  I’m hoping the parks dept. utilizes this space in the spring. The bark of the […]

After multiple requests to the Parks Department and incessant reminders to them via twitter, I finally got my tree-aaaaa!! My tree, which Matt named Charlie, is not the one I requested but I love him all the same. It’s a Sophora Japonica, commonly called a Regent. It’s a nonnative species on the NYC approved species list because of its tolerance to weather; its ability to grow in any soil and its non-aggressive roots system. Charlie is from Connecticut – don’t judge, he’s a transplant. He was a leftover from last springs planting. This is probably why the city ignored my request for a Chokecherry. They […]