The Leaning Elm, one of a pair of American Elms in the Central Plaza of Tompkins Square Park was cut down yesterday. The arborists feared that it was a danger to the public. Reverend Billy showed up to try and climb the tree and tree-sit to prevent it coming down.
Pending Community Review – Do Not Cut. These signs appeared overnight. I asked the park’s manager what he knew about them. He said it was not an official notice and the tree is still scheduled to be cut down at any moment. He also said that the cutting would be done by a private contractor and not the Park’s own foresters. This is a special tree, a complete explanation of what the problem is and why the cables are not adequate to keep the public safe should be given to us.
Also the reason the Paderewski Red Oak was cut down on Monday was not given to the park manager. He had no advanced notice of the removal. The tree was sickly, but why it was removed is not known as the dead overhanging branches were removed earlier this year.
This morning I also found this votive candle and a stick of incense burning in front of the Krishna Tree, next to the Leaning Elm. I suspect this is from the Krishnas.
“MAY THE MOTHER EARTH HELP
Margaret.
MAY THE MOTHER EARTH HELP
OUR FAMILYS.
MAY MOTHER EARTH HELP
The great Bending tree & the great
Elaphant tree.”
Still there this evening.
I heard the sad news today on EV Grieve, the Leaning Elm (Also known as the Yoni Elm) is scheduled to be cut down. I painted a heart to leave a token of my love. I saw the arborists checking out this tree back in April. When it remained untouched this past summer, I thought it had checked out OK, but no, according to Tompkins Park Gardener Debby Hulse, the results of that examination is why it is coming down now. It is hollow and unstable. The tree has been supported by cables attaching it to the Krishna Tree for several years. Its loss will drastically change the feel of the Central Plaza of the Park, especially from losing the shade for the benches in the heat of Summer.
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