Author: Trees
Snowy Walk in Tompkins Square Park
A walk into the almost blizzard.
Gnarly Squirrel Tree – R.I.P.
In 2013 we lost two great trees in Tompkins Square Park. One was at that point the largest American Elm in the park. The other was much older, it predated the clearing of the interior of the Tompkins Square Park in the 1860’s. I suspect it was large enough to provide shade on the perimeter of the parade ground created during the Civil War. It was an extremely gnarled Black Locust Tree. Before I knew the species, I called it the gnarly squirrel tree. I wanted to know what this amazing natural sculpture was, and it was one of the reasons I started this tree identification project. [Read more…]
Cherry Grove in the Snow
When the leaves are gone from the branches the surrounding architecture is revealed. The tall building is the Christodora House, and at 8th Street is the Newsboys’ and Bootblacks’ Lodging House and St Brigid’s Church.
Here’s the area I’m naming “Cherry Grove” on my map. Before the many cherry trees were planted this past year, I called this area bounded by Avenue B and between the 9th and 8th Street entrances “The Great Eastern Forest.” I think “Cherry Grove” is more likely to be used. The largest American Elm in the park was at the northern end of this area, it was felled this year. The huge stump remains and is a wonder.
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