What if I don’t want the tree? Since the area between the curb and the property line belongs to the City, we are creating a ribbon of green along this public space. The location within the sidewalk of trees and other city assets--such as street signs, bus stops, traffic lights, fire hydrants--is not optional or determined by adjacent property owners. Trees are just another municipal asset, although they grow more valuable over time instead of depreciating.
Will the tree damage my utilities? While we know the value of trees, we also acknowledge that planting in NYC has its challenges. This process accounts for existing street conditions and potential conflicts that could interfere with the healthy growth of a tree. Gas, electric and telecommunications lines are marked prior to planting and the tree will be placed a safe distance from all underground utilities.
Will the tree damage my sewer? Tree roots will not damage water pipes unless the entry of the roots has been afforded by a defect, such as a crack or leak, in the pipe itself. As a precautionary measure, Parks has also enlarged the standard tree pit size to allow room for water infiltration and root growth so as to mitigate any possible conflicts with neighboring infrastructure.
Will the tree damage my sidewalk? Our planting contractor will be responsible for the repair of any inadvertent damages they cause to the sidewalk/curb, but pre-existing damages will not be fixed. If an empty tree bed in front of your property contains flowers, planters, cobblestones, or other materials that you want to keep, please remove them in advance of the planting season. The contractor will attempt to remove and reset existing tree guards if possible. As the tree matures, it will be eligible for the Trees and Sidewalks program, which repairs New York City sidewalks that are damaged by curbside trees in a way that preserves the health of the tree's roots and minimizes further buckling, at no cost to the taxpayer.
Who will take care of the tree? Our planting contractor is responsible for all basic maintenance including watering, weeding and replacement, if necessary, for two years. As they mature, the trees will be eligible for a variety of other forestry services from the City, just call 311. Learn more about our free tree care programs.
Do I have to clean dog waste, remove litter, or rake leaves? Dog owners are required to clean up after their dogs under New York City's Canine Waste Law. However, adjacent property owners responsible for regular maintenance and cleaning of the sidewalk abutting their property. You may report frequent incidents of dog waste by calling 311 or by submitting a request online. We encourage residents to maintain their properties by raking leaves, but presently the Department of Sanitation does not issue tickets for uncollected leaves. If you are concerned about dog waste and litter, you may be interested in installing a tree guard. Please see below or visit our TreeLC Library for more information about how to obtain a tree guard.
May I choose the type of tree to be planted? NYC Parks Foresters work to select the optimum tree species for each planting location. A number of criteria goes into choosing which species is most appropriate, including flood/drought conditions, soil compaction/pollution, sunlight, surrounding tree canopy, sidewalk width, and clearance distance from nearby infrastructure. NYC Parks uses over 250 different tree species and cultivars for curbside planting. Foresters will use this data sheet to match a suitable tree species for each tree planting location. More information about the criteria Foresters use to select species is available on the Parks planting process page within the NYC Parks website. Learn more about how NYC Parks grows its street trees.
When is the tree going to be planted? NYC Parks plants trees in two planting seasons. The fall planting season runs from November through January and the spring planting season runs from March through June. Tree planting may be delayed by weather or other unforeseen events, therefore we are unable to provide an exact planting date.
How can I get a tree guard? The New York Tree Trust, a program of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and the City Parks Foundation, was established in 1994 to protect, preserve, and enhance New York City's street, park and forest trees. The New York Tree Trust offers a range of services such as tree guard installation, stump removal and memorial tree planting. To find out more information about the Tree Trust or to make a donation, please contact nytreetrust@parks.nyc.gov or (718) 760-4009. Please also check out the tree guard page in our TreeLC Library.
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