NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The Furever Tree—a pet memorial tree that stood in Central Park for more than 40 years—was cut down this month.
Since the mid-1980s, New Yorkers have been posting photos and tributes to their pets on the tree, which was hidden away in the Ramble section of the park.
The Central Park Conservancy confirmed the tree—a “meaningful gathering point for community members honoring their pets”—was removed after it died due to “a combination of environmental stress and wear on the landscape.”
One of the caretakers of the tree, Larry Closs, told 1010 WINS that he witnessed the decline of the 18-foot tree.
“Every week I went there, and the tree just looked sadder and sadder,” Closs said.
Closs described the tree as “a magical place” and said its demise is a “huge loss” for the community.
“You’d go there and you'd see people crying, you'd see people laughing,” he said. “Some of the inscriptions were—I’m getting choked up right now—some of the inscriptions were just so beautiful and so touching.”
The tree may be gone, but it’s spirit may live on in a new form.
“In Central Park, there are these octagonal paving stones that one can inscribe with a dedication. We might do something along those lines,” Closs said.
The Central Park Conservancy said it was “committed to working together to find a thoughtful, sustainable alternative for honoring pets.”